Long-whiskered Owlet seen in the wild for the first time
The extremely rare Long-whiskered Owlet (Xenoglaux loweryi), a nocturnal species that wasn’t discovered until 1976, and until now was only known from a few specimens captured in nets at night, has been seen in the wild for the first time by researchers monitoring the Area de Conservación Privada de Abra Patricia – Alto Nieva, a private conservation area in Northern Peru. The sighting is considered a holy grail of South American ornithology and has not been accomplished in thirty years, despite the efforts of hundreds of birders.
‘Seeing the Long-whiskered Owlet is a huge thrill,’ said David Geale of Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos (ECOAN) who was part of the research team. ‘Its population is estimated to be less than 1,000 birds, and possibly as few as 250. Due to the rapid destruction of its forest habitat and its tiny range, it is inferred that the species is in serious decline. Until recently, the owlet’s key habitat was completely unprotected.’
‘The creation of the Area de Conservación Privada de Abra Patricia – Alto Nieva, located in the Northern end of the Peruvian Yungas ecosystem, provides protection for the key site for the Long-whiskered Owlet,’ said Hugo Arnal, American Bird Conservancy’s (ABC) Tropical Andes Program Director. ‘By establishing a reserve and protecting the owlet’s forest habitat, ABC and its partner ECOAN are giving many other species a chance to survive as well.’
Several songbirds that breed in North America such as the beautiful Blackburnian Warbler also use these forests during the winter. Other migratory species include the Broad-winged Hawk, Swainson’s Hawk, Swainson's Thrush, and Alder Flycatcher. In total, 29 neotropical migrant species use this area, of which 13 are of conservation concern. Nearly 98% of the reserve consists of well-preserved stands of typical Yungas forests, and it is also considered a rich area for orchids.
ABC’s work in the region is supported by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Conoco Phillips, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Robert Wilson, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act program. Birdwatchers wishing to search for the owl should contact Hugo Arnal at American Bird Conservancy.
Access is strictly limited to small groups and the chances of success though better than in the past are still considered very low for anything but the luckiest groups. ABC is also working with the Commission for the Promotion of Peru to promote eco-tourism in Northern Peru, www.perubirdingroutes.com.
