PROGRAM and ABSTRACTS Bariloche, Rio Negro, Argentina, October 21-24 2013

146 Pages·2013·3.41 MB·English

PROGRAM and ABSTRACTS

A joint meeting with between
Raptor Research Foundation Annual Conference 2013
III Neotropical Raptor Network Conference
WWGBP VII International Conference on Birds of Prey and Owls

Bariloche, Rio Negro, Argentina, October 21-24 2013

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I Worldwide Raptor Conference, October 2013, Bariloche, Argentina

The I Worldwide Raptor Conference organizers and participating
organizations are extremely grateful to our sponsors
WE THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Condor level ($3,000)
Sia-The Comanche Nation Ethno-Ornithological Initiative

Hawk level ($1,000)
Ecotone NorthStar

Lotek

Kestrel level ($300)
Administración de Parques Nacionales
Cau Cau Excursiones

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I Worldwide Raptor Conference, October 2013, Bariloche, Argentina

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Sponsors………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….2
Conference Hosts…..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….3
Welcome to the I World Wide Raptor Conference………………………………………………………………………………………….4
Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche – Universidad Nacional del Comahue……………………………………………….5
Raptor Research Foundation, Inc.……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………5
Neotropical Raptor Network/The Peregrine Fund…………………………………………………………………………………………..6
World Working Group on Birds of Prey and Owls……………………………………………………………………………………………6
Welcome letter form Dr. Ruth Tingay, President RRF……………………………………………………………………………………..7
Welcome Letter from NRN Advisory Committee…………………………………………………………………………………………….8
Greetings from Kate Davis, RRF Conference Committee Chair………………………………………………………………………..9
Raptor Research Foundation Personnel………………………………………………………………………………………………………….10
Neotropical Raptor Network Advisory Board………………………………………………………………………………………………….11
The Peregrine Fund Board………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………12
The Peregrine Fund Conference Representatives……………………………………………………………………………………………13
World Working Group on Birds of Prey and Owls…………………………………………………………………………………………..13
I Worldwide Raptor Conference Co-hairs……………………………………………………………………………………………………….14
Sia The Comanche Nation Ethno-Ornithological Initiative………………………………………………………………………………15
Lotek………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………16
NorthStar……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….17
Ecotone………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….18
Important Information……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………19
Getting around Bariloche……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….20
Conference Schedule at Glance………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………21
Scientific Program at Glance…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..24
Special Events…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………26
Scientific Program Oral and Poster Presentations…………………………………………………………………………………………..28
Plenary and Special Talks Speakers…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………35
Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………40
Conference Venue-Hotel Panamericano Bariloche…………………………………………………………………………………………43
Moderators…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….44
About Bariloche……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..45
Workshops and ECRR Committee......……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..48
Abstracts…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………51

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I Worldwide Raptor Conference, October 2013, Bariloche, Argentina

CONFERENCE HOSTS
HOST ORGANIZATION
Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche (CRUB) - Universidad Nacional del Comahue

SOCIETIES MEETING JOINTLY
Raptor Research Foundation, Neotropical Raptor Network (sponsored by The Peregrine Fund), World
Working Group on Birds Of Prey and Owls
LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Committee Co-chairs: Valeria Ojeda -Department of Ecology, Universidad Nacional del Comahue and Conicet,
Bariloche, Rio Negro, Argentina and Sergio A. Lambertucci -Laboratorio Ecotono, Universidad Nacional Del
Comahue – Inibioma/Conicet, Bariloche, Rio Negro, Argentina, Miguel D. Saggese - College of Veterinary
Medicine-Western University Of Health Sciences, California, USA.
Local Committee Members and Volunteers: Ana Trejo, Lorenzo Sympson, Gonzalo Ignazi, Facundo Barbar,
Agustina Di Virgilio, Ines Croce, Pablo Alarcón, Fernando Ballejo, Nicolás Lois, Gala Ortiz, Karina Speziale,
Agustin I. Quaglia, Maite Amoros. Art used in this program and in the Tote bags are courtesy of Fernando
Ballejo. Banners design courtesy of Gonzalo Ignazi.
JOINT ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Kate Davis (Chair), Dr. Dan Varland and Libby Mojica - RRF Conference Committee
Dr. Marta Curti and Dr. Rick Watson - Neotropical Raptor Network/The Peregrine Fund Representatives
Dr. Bernd Meyburg - World Working Group on Birds of Prey and Owls Representative

ONLINE REGISTRATION MANAGEMENT AND CONFERENCE WEBSITE
Libby Mojica - Raptor Research Foundation and Miguel D. Saggese – Raptor Research Foundation and
Western University of Health Sciences

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
Dr. James Dwyer – EDM International, Inc and Dr. Ana Trejo – Department of Zoology -Universidad Nacional
del Comahue (Chairs), Brian Smith, Miguel D. Saggese (abstract review)

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I Worldwide Raptor Conference, October 2013, Bariloche, Argentina

Welcome to the I Worldwide Raptor Conference in Bariloche!
For the first time, a joint meeting between the Raptor Research Foundation, the Neotropical Raptor
Network (sponsored by The Peregrine Fund) and the World Working Group on Birds of Prey and Owls is
taking place in South America. A perfect mixture of wild nature and cultural heritage awaits you; we will
ensure that you experience all the wonders that the city of San Carlos de Bariloche, Patagonia and Argentina
have to offer.
This international conference is 21-24 October, 2013, in Bariloche City, Rio Negro Province, Argentina, close to
the heart of Nahuel Huapi National Park. The conference host is the Universidad Nacional del Comahue,
Bariloche, Argentina.
The local organizing committee co-chairs, Miguel D. Saggese, (College of Veterinary Medicine-Western
University of Health Sciences, California, USA), Valeria Ojeda (Department of Ecology, Universidad Nacional
del Comahue and CONICET, Bariloche, Rio Negro, Argentina) and Sergio A. Lambertucci (Laboratorio Ecotono,
Universidad Nacional Del Comahue – Inibioma/Conicet, Bariloche, Rio Negro, Argentina) welcome you to
Bariloche, Patagonia, Argentina. We sincerely hope that you have the best possible experience. Together with
representatives of the participating host organizations and volunteers, we have done everything possible to
make this conference something to remember.
Before, during and after the conference we stand ready to help you have the time of your life in South
America. For help with questions, problem solving or if you just simply want to talk raptors, look for us: the
local co-chairs; we will be wearing white ribbons each day of the conference. Please don’t hesitate to contact
us. We are here for you!
In closing, we say thank you very much for your kind support through your participation in this unique event,
and welcome to Bariloche!
Drs. Valeria Ojeda, Miguel D. Saggese and Sergio Lambertucci
I Worldwide Raptor Conference Co-chairs

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Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche,
Universidad Nacional del Comahue
With a program that began in 1978, Biology is one of the oldest and most
prestigious programs at Bariloche’s Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche of
the Universidad Nacional del Comahue (CRUB-UNCo). With a large number of
full-time students, CRUB-UNCo is not a big university. One of the university’s
greatest strengths in fact is the personal relationships among teachers,
students and other faculty-members fostered by its small size. CRUB-UNCo
offers a B.S. degree in Biology (main orientation is on Natural Resources
Management) and also a Ph.D. degree. The Ph.D. is based on a unique type of
free schedule where candidates design their program requirements. High standards are maintained in the
program; they may be validated by the quality of the courses taken by the candidates, quality of student
annual advance reports and oral presentations, and the requirement that at least one scientific paper from
dissertation research be published in peer-reviewed journals (listed in ISI) before submitting the dissertation.
These unique requirements make this Ph.D. degree one of the most highly ranked in Argentina. Argentina has
a free education system, from entry to the highest levels; both undergraduate and Ph.D. degrees are offered
at no cost to the student.
The faculty in Biology is actively involved in research and teaching as well as in community service; faculty
members receive some of their financial support from agencies and grants. There are several laboratories and
departments developing basic and applied research in different biological fields whose members receive some
of their support from outside Argentina (mostly applied to specific research topics), but most of the research,
and all the teaching activities, are conducted through wages and subsidies provided by the university and by
the Argentine scientific research agencies: the Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Técnica (ANPCyT)
and the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Two members of the organizing
committee, S. Lambertucci and V. Ojeda, are researchers at the CONICET; their offices are located at the
university by affiliation there. Scientific Program co-chair Ana Trejo is a full-time teacher/researcher at CRUB-
UNCo. Also, the volunteers working with the local committee are mostly composed of students,
undergraduates and Ph.D. candidates, from CRUB-UNCo. Research projects on raptors include studies on the
ecology and conservation of most species that live in this area.

Raptor Research Foundation, Inc.
The Raptor Research Foundation (RRF) is the world’s largest professional society
for raptor researchers and conservationists. Founded in 1966 as a non-profit
organisation, our primary goal is the accumulation and dissemination of scientific
information about raptors. We also promote an awareness and appreciation of
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raptors amongst the general public. Our 950+ membership spans 50 countries on six continents, forming a
global network of raptor experts. The world’s leading raptor researchers are members of RRF, along with
other professional scientists, wildlife managers, educators, conservationists, students and amateur raptor
enthusiasts.
RRF achieves its mission in the following ways: organizes annual scientific conferences, provides competitive
grants & awards for student researchers & conservationists, provides support & networking opportunities for
students & early career raptor researchers, provides grants & awards of recognition for established
researchers & conservationists, produces a quarterly scientific journal (The Journal of Raptor Research) and
biannual newsletter (Wingspan) with raptor news from around the world and provides expert scientific advice
on international raptor conservation issues to governments, wildlife agencies, zoos, and non-profit
organizations.

Neotropical Raptor Network
The Peregrine Fund
The Peregrine Fund convened the first
Neotropical Raptor Conference in Panama in
2002. The Neotropical Raptor Network (NRN)
was launched to bring together the community of people working with raptors in the
region,to enhance this community’s capacity and effectiveness, and to provide for periodic
conferences on Neotropical Raptors. The NRN is a membership-based organization. Its goal
is to aid in the research and conservation of raptors by promoting communication and
collaboration among biologists, ornithologists, raptor enthusiasts, and other conservationists working in the
region. The NRN, sponsored by The Peregrine Fund, aids its members with a list serve, by hosting conferences,
by publishing an e-newsletter, and by posting a list of research and conservation priorities for Neotropical
raptors.

World Working Group on Birds of Prey and Owls
Active for several decades, the WWGBP plays an important role in the promotion
of raptor conservation and research on an international level. Its membership
includes more than 3,000 raptor specialists and enthusiasts from around the
world. WWGBP serves its members by encouraging the scientific exchange of
information on raptors using list serves, publications, and worldwide conferences.
All those interested in raptors are encouraged to become a member free of
charge by subscribing to one of the list servers.
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I Worldwide Raptor Conference, October 2013, Bariloche, Argentina

Welcome letter from Dr. Ruth Tingay, President - Raptor
Research Foundation
Hola, meeting participants!
On behalf of the Raptor Research Foundation, it gives me enormous pleasure to
welcome you to Bariloche, Argentina, for our first ever joint meeting with the
Neotropical Raptor Network and the World Working Group on Birds of Prey and Owls.
Raptor Researchers have travelled from over 25 countries on five continents to be here. Whether you’ve
travelled from nearby or from afar, I’m delighted you could make it for this very special gathering.
With such a multi-national assemblage, we are guaranteed an exciting week with an exceptional opportunity
to meet, learn from, share with and be inspired by, raptor research colleagues from around the world. We
have a packed schedule, including four outstanding plenary speakers, two special talks, four workshops and
over 150 scientific presentations, not to mention various cultural events and an exciting selection of fieldtrips.
Make the most of it, because although the conference will be over in a flash, its legacy of new partnerships
and collaborations could lead to extraordinary things.
I’d like to pay special tribute to a number of outstanding individuals who have pulled this conference together.
Representatives from our host organization, the Universidad Nacional del Comahue, have worked tirelessly
with representatives from the Raptor Research Foundation, the Neotropical Raptor Network, The Peregirne
Fund and World Working Group on Birds of Prey and Owls to make this event happen. And it’s been no easy
task, I can assure you! They have volunteered their time and energy over several years (yes, years), all for our
benefit, and we all owe them a huge debt of gratitude. Please take the time during the week to thank them for
their efforts and commitment: Miguel D. Saggese, Valeria Ojeda, Sergio Lambertucci, James Dwyer, Ana Trejo,
Marta Curti, Libby Mojica, Travis Booms, Kate Davis, Dan Varland, Rick Watson and a larger number of
volunteers and collaborators.
Thanks also to you, the conference delegates, and especially those of you presenting your work this week.
Special thanks to those of you who are having to present in your second, or even third language, and those of
you presenting for the first time. That takes courage so please be reassured that this audience is right behind
you and really wants to hear what you have to say.
Again, on behalf of the Raptor Research Foundation, welcome to Bariloche, thank you for coming and I hope
you all have a fantastic week. Enjoy!

Ruth Tingay
President
Raptor Research Foundation
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Welcome letter from Neotropical Raptor Network Advisory Committee
Dear Delegates,
Welcome to Bariloche and the joint conference of the Raptor Research
Foundation, Neotropical Raptor Network, and World Working Group on
Birds of Prey and Owls.
The Neotropical Raptor Network (NRN) is a membership-based organization created to enhance research and
conservation of Neotropical raptors by promoting communication and collaboration among biologists,
ornithologists, raptor enthusiasts, and other conservationists working in the Neotropics. Current membership
is over 380, and with current sponsorship of The Peregrine Fund, membership is free! To learn more and join
the NRN please visit our booth and sign up!
The main features of the NRN are an internet-based discussion forum, a biennial e-Newsletter “Spizaetus,” an
international conference held every four years, a conference proceedings, and the NRN web-site. The web-
site is written in both Spanish and English and serves as the home of the NRN (www.neotropicalraptors.org).
The e-Newsletter includes popular articles from members and updates on NRN activities; past issues are
archived on the website. The moderated discussion forum provides a venue for sharing information and
issues of concern related to raptor conservation in the Neotropics. This meeting in Bariloche is the third NRN
Conference, and like the Second Conference, we hope to publish the proceedings with help from Keith
Bildstein of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary.
The NRN is guided by an Advisory Board of up to ten volunteers mainly from Central and South America. We
are looking for new members! We are also taking proposals now for the next conference in 2017. Drop by the
NRN booth or talk to either Marta Curti or Rick Watson if you are interested in joining the Advisory Board or
organizing a conference in your home country.
Organizing this conference took time and dedication of many people. Please join us in thanking the
Conference Organizing Committee Miguel Saggese, Valeria Ojeda, Sergio Lambertucci, James Dwyer, Ana
Trejo, Marta Curti, Libby Mojica, Travis Booms, Kate Davis, Dan Varland, Rick Watson, and Bernd Meyburg.
On behalf of the Neotropical Raptor Network we hope you enjoy this conference and the opportunity it
provides to share an exciting range of raptor research and conservation efforts.
With warm regards,
Advisory Board of the Neotropical Raptor Network (Marc Bechard, Keith Bildstein, Cameron Ellis, Jaime
Jiménez, César Márquez, Ruth Muñiz, Adrián Reuter, César Sánchez, Sergio Seipke, Rick Watson)

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Greetings from Kate David, Raptor Research
Foundation Conference Committee Chair
This remarkable gathering of like-minded raptor enthusiasts started
as an ambitious idea years ago by Miguel Saggese: Latin America
hosting its first ever Worldwide Raptor Conference, gatheringexperts
from around the world. Miguel’s perseverance, optimism and hard
work is now realized, largely due to his devotion and the devotion of
localco- hosts Valeria Ojeda and Sergio Lambertucci. I want to give a huge thanks to Libby Mojica for taking
charge of the web site and for keeping track of details galore. We are thrilled to have the partnership of the
Neotropical Raptor Network; NRN has helped much in conference planning and in bringing goodscience to the
conference through member participation in poster and oral presentations. We know that this may be the first
of much such collaboration of the best and brightest aficionados in the world of birds of prey. May they
continue long into the future.
Kate Davis, Raptor Research Foundation Conference Chair

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