Habitat, distribution, and conservation of atlantic forest birds in Argentina: Notes on nine rare or threatened species

We present recent information on the distribution, conservation status and natural history of nine rare or threatened birds, mostly Atlantic forest endemics, based on 218 field days in north and central Misiones, Argentina. We found the Black-fronted Piping-Guan (Pipile jacutinga) only large tracts of forest; it requires urgent protection from poaching. The Rusty-barred Owl (Strix bylophila) was the most common of the large owls in our study area. The Helmeted Woodpecker (Dryocopus galeatus) was scarce, but found at nearly all sites, in mature forest, degraded forest, and tree plantations. The Canebrake Ground-creeper (Clibanornis dendrocolaptoides) was most abundant in degraded forest, at Parque Provincial de la Araucaria and Area Experimental Guarani. We found 35 White-bearded Antshrikes (Biatas nigropectus), always in large patches of Guadua trinii bamboo. We found the Rufous-tailed Antthrush (Chamaeza ruficauda) as low as 320 m a.s.l., always on steep slopes, with a dense understory of Chusquea ramosissima and Merostachys claussenii bamboo. The Sao Paulo Tyrannulet (Phylloscartes paulista) occurred in mixed species flocks, near streams in mature forest. The Azure Jay (Cyanocorax caeruleus) was present only in degraded forest and anthropogenic habitat. The Swallow-tailed Cotinga (Phibalura flavirostris) appeared irregularly, apparently due to seasonal movements from Brazil.