Bird diversity in a semi-arid landscape of the Mexican Altiplano

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the bird diversity in the El Llano region in Aguascalientes, central part of the Mexican Altiplano, a region that has been transformed into grasslands and agricultural areas.

Design/methodology/approach: From January 2010 to March 2012, a bird fauna inventory was carried out through transects with counting points within different areas with different land use in the region.

Results: A total of 166 bird species were recorded, the greatest species richness was terrestrial (136), and the rest were of aquatic and underwater habits (30). Of the total species, seven are listed under some risk status and two are endemic to Mexico.

Limitations on study/implications: There are other habitats around this region that can also serve as areas of movement and shelter for birds and have not yet been studied.

Findings/conclusions: The greatest diversity was observed in thickets, nopal orchards and yuccas patches, and oak forest. Bird diversity recorded in this region suggests that this area represents an important source of food resources, nesting area by resident species, as well as a transit site for migratory species.