Erratum to: Ephemeral Aquatic Bird Assemblages in Estuarine Wetlands from South-Central Chile: Using an Intertidal Flat Habitat During the Austral Summer

Abstract

The use of intertidal environments by aquatic birds is an important topic of study in the northern hemisphere, grouping baseline distributional descriptions to assess human–bird interactions during shellfish harvesting in soft substrates. However, patterns of tidal regime plus human and natural disturbances may differ in areas in the southern hemisphere. We studied the use of an intertidal flat by a temporary (i.e., ephemeral) assemblage of migratory and resident shorebirds and waterbirds in the Queule River Estuary (39° S), in south-central Chile, during the summers of 2003 and 2008. Migrant species such as Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus and resident Southern Lapwing Vanellus chinesis positively selected sandy substrates when feeding during both spring (periods with stronger tidal range) and neap tides (periods with weaker tides). The resident Yellow-billed Pintail Anas georgica only positively selected the muddy–sandy bottom during spring tides. The predominant activity of resident species was feeding during both tides, except for the Yellow-billed Pintail which rested during neap tides. We highlight the importance of microhabitats such as the intertidal flats system as feeding and resting areas for migratory and resident species. We also comment on their conservation and natural modification by mega-earthquake and tsunami effects that may result in the future destruction or generation of these key environments.