The Imperial Shag (Phalacrocorax atriceps) in the Nahuel Huapi Lake (northwestern Patagonia, Argentina) : distribution, abundance, and potential threats from scavenging birds

• Main Author: Frixione, Martín G.
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: BREEDING DISRUPTION; CORAGYPS ATRATUS; BASURA; LARUS DOMINICANUS; NAHUEL HUAPI; PHALACROCORAX ATRICEPS; GARBAGE; INTERRUPCION DE LA NIDIFICACION; Imperial Shag; Phalacrocorax atriceps
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12110/hornero_v025_n02_p061

We describe the distribution and breeding abundance of the Imperial Shag (Phalacrocorax atriceps) in the northern portion of the Nahuel Huapi Lake (northwestern Patagonia, Argentina) during the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 reproductive seasons. We recorded low population numbers and null breeding success in both seasons. Attacks from several scavenging birds were recorded, and breeding activities were interrupted abruptly. Future studies should consider the potential threats from scavenging birds, subsidized by urban garbage dumps, over this freshwater shag. Se describen la distribución y la abundancia del Cormorán Imperial (Phalacrocorax atriceps) en el norte del lago Nahuel Huapi (noroeste de la Patagonia, Argentina) durante las temporadas reproductivas 2006-2007 y 2007-2008. Se registraron abundancias bajas y un éxito reproductivo nulo en ambas temporadas. Se registraron ataques de aves carroñeras y la actividad reproductiva se vio bruscamente interrumpida. Futuros estudios deberían considerar la potencial amenaza de las aves carroñeras, subsidiadas por los basurales a cielo abierto, sobre este cormorán.