Diet of some spring migrant landbirds on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica
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Abstract Spring dietary patterns of migrants in tropical latitudes are largely unknown. Here I present diet data derived from an analysis of fecal samples for six migrant landbird species during spring migration along the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. High levels of insectivory were detected for all six species captured. The nature of the data presented is discussed in light of El Niño conditions which immediately preceded the field component of this study. Ultimately, detailed knowledge pertaining to the resources utilized by migrant landbirds will improve our ability to manage Caribbean stopover sites.
Keywords: diet, Caribbean coast, Costa Rica, landbirds, Nearctic-Neotropic migrants, spring migration
Resumen: Dieta de algunas aves terrestres migrantes de primavera en la costa Caribeña de Costa Rica- Los patrones dietarios en primavera de los migrantes en latitudes tropicales son casi desconocidos. Se presentan datos sobre la dieta a partir de un análisis de las muestras fecales de seis especies de aves terrestres migratorias durante la migración de primavera a lo largo de la costa caribeña de Costa Rica. Altos niveles de insectivoría fueron detectados en las seis especies capturadas. La naturaleza de los datos presentados se expone a la luz del fenómeno El Niño que precedió inmediatamente al trabajo de campo de este estudio. En última instancia, un conocimiento detallado de los recursos utilizados por las aves terrestres migratorias mejorará la capacidad para manejar los sitios de parada en el Caribe.
Palabras clave: aves terrestres, costa del Caribe, Costa Rica, dieta, migrantes Neártico-Neotropicales, migración de primavera
Résumé: Régime alimentaire de certains oiseaux terrestres migrateurs de printemps sur la côte Caribéenne du Costa Rica- Le régime alimentaire des migrateurs séjournant sous les tropiques au printemps est en grande partie inconnu. Je présente ici des données sur l’alimentation provenant d’une analyse d’échantillons fécaux de six espèces d’oiseaux terrestres en migration printanière le long de la côte caraïbe du Costa Rica. Les six espèces capturées avaient un régime largement insectivore. La nature des données est discutée à la lumière d’un événement El Niño qui a précédé les relevés de terrain. Finalement, la connaissance approfondie des ressources utilisées par les oiseaux terrestres migrateurs permettra d’améliorer notre capacité à gérer les sites migratoires cari- béens.
Mots clés: Costa Rica, côte caribéenne, migrateurs néarctiques-néotropicaux, migration de printemps, oiseaux terrestres, régime alimentaire
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