Breeding and seasonal occurrence of the Orinoco Goose (Neochen jubata) in Brazil

Abstract

The Orinoco Goose (Neochen jubata) is a “Near Threatened” species occurring extensively in South America. The objective of this study was to examine the breeding and seasonal occurrence of the species in Brazil. A search for adults and young was done by consulting the WikiAves database of photographs. Families with young were obtained by citizens in 11 municipalities within the Cerrado and Amazonia. In general, breeding birds were associated with rivers, been encountered swimming, or walking at sandy beaches. The Tocantins-Araguaia hydrographic region (TAHR) harbored most records with breeding evidence in the Cerrado, while families with young were recorded along the Guapore and Purus rivers in Amazonia. Families had 1–2 adults and 2–11 young. Differences between the mean brood sizes of downy young and juveniles were not significant. On the other hand, the mean number of young accompanied by two adults was significantly higher than that been cared by only one adult. In both the Cerrado and Amazonia, young were detected during the dry season and beginning of the rainy season, when the water level of rivers is low. Pium, Aruana, and Caseara are important breeding sites, while Sao Miguel do Araguaia and Lagoa da Confusao appear to be major non-breeding sites. The seasonal occurrence of records suggests that N. jubata might migrate within the TAHR. The species can breed successfully in central and northern Cerrado, where Parque Estadual do Cantao appears to be an important conservation unit for this species. Education of locals and strict protection are suggested as major actions for its conservation in Brazil.