Noteworthy bird records from the Araracuara area, Amazonas and Caquetá, Colombia

Abstract

We surveyed birds near Araracuara (Caquetá Department) and Puerto Santander (Amazonas Department), Colombia in August 2019 and January/February 2021. Our records included substantial range extensions for Nyctibius leucopterus, Crypturellus brevirostris, Polioptila facilis and Geothlypis aequinoctialis. We also encountered numerous species characteristic of poor-soil and rock- outcrop habitats that were previously documented further north on the Chiribiquete massif but never so far south, and we report that many of these species reach the south bank of the Caquetá River. Additionally, we encountered several savanna-associated species on cattle pastures near Puerto Santander, of which two are shared with nearby rock-scrub habitats and three are apparently colonists from elsewhere. We discuss the distribution of the Guianan avifauna in the western Amazon, and we suggest areas where further observations could help to resolve outstanding questions.