Avifauna of the Calingasta Valley and surroundings, San Juan Province, Argentina

Abstract

An annotated list of the avifauna of Calingasta Department, San Juan province, is presented to contribute to its knowledge and conservation. Records were obtained during the years 2009, 2010 and 2011, through censuses using the transect and observation point methods. The frequency of sightings of birds was calculated. An update on bird diversity is provided by checking with their geographical distributions following field guides and publications from other authors. Comments on their conservation status are also provided. Two hundred and four species belonging to 42 families, of which 135 species are from our own records, are listed. Two species with conservation interest in the area are mentioned and we cite for the first time 64 new species for the Calingasta Department.