A Preliminary list of Birds from Laguna de Matusagarati: A Wildlife Refuge in Darien Province, Panama

Abstract

The wetland Laguna de Matusagarati, in the province of Darien, eastern Panama region, possesses an approximate extension of 56, 000 hectares, the largest wetland in Panama and one of the biggest of Central America. Despite 70% of this wetland is on protected areas by Ministerio de Ambiente Panama, there are areas where the anthropogenic impact is notable, livestock, rice and oil palm crops, logging and deforestation are the most intense activities that have led to habitat loss. As part of a comprehensive One Health initiative focused on the surveillance of emerging diseases in the Darien region, we have undertaken simultaneous investigation on the biodiversity (mosquitos, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians) of Matusagarati. Here we report the results of the avifauna diversity undertaken in October 2018 and June 2019. We used mist nests, direct observation with binoculars and photographic cameras to report the species. A total of 169 species were reported, 49 families and 19 orders that represent 17% of the birds from Panama. Here we present the first checklist of birds from the Humedal Laguna de Matusagarati, with this we expect to improve the knowledge of the biodiversity of this wetland and provide data to authorities to improve the policies of conservation in this unique ecosystem.