Its characteristic “gluglú” can be heard from up to 1.6 km away in the forest. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.1000475 7 September 2010 Authors: Andrea Jiménez García, Laura Macaya Coscollola, Monica Ballester Carbonell, Nicolás Anguita Leiva
Class: Aves
Golden Eagle
Aquila chrysaetos, the golden eagle, is a monogamous bird that, even though its grand size, can fly up to 300 km/h, therefore represents a symbol of strength. Its genome reveals evidence for a unique vision system biased towards ultraviolet vision. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0095599. Authors: Júlia Genovart Armayones, Mindy Janella Miranda Hernández, Mar Pons Jori, Nora Yoldi…
Mandarin duck
Aix galericulata is a perching duck species. This means it is adapted to roost and nest in trees, especially in wooded wetlands. It is known for its strong sexual dimorphism, with males displaying brightly colored plumage during the breeding season. It is a model species for studying mating behavior and habitat adaptation in waterfowl. Author:…
Atlantic puffin
Fratercula arctica, the atlantic puffin, is an iconic seabird species, important for tourism, and inherently valuable for the marine ecosystem. Its genome includes thousands of loci that help identify relevant conservation units for seabirds. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-021-02415-4 (July/29/2021) Authors: Aina Baldomà Fort, Javier Cordero Plaza, Maria Donés Guillamet, Julia Íñiguez Sanz
Galapagos Penguin
Long-term monitoring of the Galapagos Penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) indicates that the population is fluctuating, primarily as a result of marine perturbations that may be becoming more extreme through climate change. These perturbations have caused an overall very rapid population reduction over the last three generations (31 years). In addition, the species has a small population…
Ridgway’s Hawk
Ridgway’s Hawk (Buteo ridgwayi) is listed as Critically Endangered because it has a small and fragmented population, which was previously in steep decline. Successful conservation action has now reversed such declines and the species is observed to be increasing throughout both its largest extant population in Los Haitises National Park and additional reintroduced populations. If…
Worthen’s Sparrow
Worthen’s Sparrow (Spizella wortheni) has a very small and declining population, and fledging success is very low. It is therefore listed as Endangered. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22721182/118141491
Wattled Curassow
Wattled Curassow (Crax globulosa) was once widespread across the Amazon basin. High hunting pressure has been causing drastic declines, so that the population is now very small and restricted to scattered, isolated subpopulations. These declines are ongoing and it is therefore listed as Endangered. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22678537/221386350
El Oro Parakeet
El Oro Parakeet (Pyrrhura orcesi) has a very small population. Remaining habitat is fragmented, and both range and population are thought to be declining. As a result, the species qualifies as Endangered. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22685851/181549899
Mangrove Finch
Mangrove Finch (Geospiza heliobates) has an extremely small, severely fragmented range, and only two viable subpopulations. Recent surveys suggest that the number of locations and mature individuals are both declining significantly, and consequently it qualifies as Critically Endangered. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22723786/182523098