Nesting Sites and Population Estimates of Seabirds and other Waterbirds of the Gulf of Chiriquí, Panamá

Abstract

Abstract.— Little information exists on nesting by seabirds and coastal waterbirds in Panama. The present study of the Gulf of Chiriqui complements our previous study of nesting waterbirds of the Gulf of Panama. In April 2012, about 4,000 nests of seven species of seabirds and other colonial waterbirds were identified during a complete survey by small plane and boat within and adjacent to the Gulf of Chiriqui. Seventeen colony sites were found, 12 of which are reported here for the first time. Nesting species included Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster; the most abundant species with nearly 2,500 nests), Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens), Bridled Tern (Onychoprion anaethetus; second nesting site for Panama), Wood Stork (Mycteria americana; third nesting site for Panama), Great Egret (Ardea alba), and Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis). The largest nesting site in the Gulf of Chiriqui was the Islas Ladrones, with 2,200 Brown Booby nests (the largest site for this sp...