Harvey et al. • AVIFAUNA OF THE GRAN PAJONAL AND SIRA 
297 
Andean ridges detected in the northern Sira (J. S. 
Weskeand J. W. Terborgh, unpubl. data). Rufous- 
brown Solitaire ( Cichlopm leucogenys ) and Rorai- 
man Flycatcher (Myiophobus roraimae ), were not 
found during our surveys. These '‘outlying ridge 
species” are hypothesized to be relietual taxa that 
became extinct along the main Andean chain but 
persist due to lack of competition in the relatively 
depauperate avian communities on outlying ridges 
(Terborgh and Weske 1975, Fitzpatrick et al. 1977). 
Further investigation of this peculiar biogeographic 
pattern is warranted. 
CONSERVATION IMPLICATIONS 
The new barbet form and Sira Tanager are of 
particular conservation concern because their 
global distributions are restricted to the Sira. 
Large cracids such as Wattled Guan (Aburria 
aburri) and Spix’s Guan (Penelope jacquucu), 
appear to maintain healthy populations in the 
southern Cerros del Sira and Gran Pajonal. but 
deserve special consideration because they are 
threatened by hunting in many areas (Struhl el al. 
|l, 94). The endemic koepekeae subspecies of 
Homed Curassow (Pauxi unicornis) was not 
detected during our inventory, but it may well 
be present at low densities and merits urgent 
conservation action because of its small range and 
apparent susceptibility to hunting pressure (Gtts- 
Linaga et al. 2007, Graham 2009). 
Both lower montane forest and savanna are 
habitats of conservation priority in South America 
(Silva 1995, Stotz et al. 1996. Renjifo et al. 1997). 
H'e patches of these habitats within the study region 
‘icscrve special attention because of their isolation 
unique avian communities. The montane 
evergreen forests of the Sira have received some 
Protection since a portion of the range was 
designated a communal reserve in 2001 (Benavides 
The pajonales of the Gran Pajonal receive no 
official protection and ate particularly susceptible to 
vhange.s in land use by humans. Conservation of bird 
^bitai in the Gran Pajonal by outside interests 
w °uld he a complex task; the pajonales are 
Maintained by the Asheninka for spiritual and 
agricultural reasons (Hvalkof 2006). but exist in a 
Mosaic of disturbed habitats impacted by both 
jiaditional Asheninka practices as well as land use 
colonists. Our fieldwork indicates the region 
Mpports several bird species of open habitats that are 
mm or range-restricted in Peru. There are currently 
. cvv P r °tected areas of savanna or seasonally dry 
0rest in inter-Andean valleys of Peru where these 
species are found (Linares-Palomino 2006, Angulo 
et al. 2008). Any conservation strategy will depend 
on the support of the local Asheninka and should 
incorporate their interests. 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 
Wc are grateful for the assistance of our Asheninka 
guides F.usevio and Elvis Camayteri in the field. The 
hospitality of the communities ol the Organizacion 
Asheninka del Gran Pajonal. Organizacion Indigena 
Regional de AtaJaya. and Asoeiacion Regional de Pueblos 
Indigenas will be warmly remembered. Cleofas Quintori 
Soto and Fredv Vasqucz Kinchokrc were especially helpful 
in facilitating our stay in the region. We are grateful to the 
Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, National Geographic 
Society, and Explorer's Club for support of the 2008 
expedition. The Cornell Presidential Research Scholars. 
Jordani Zoology Club, and Eastern Mountain Sports 
provided additional support. We thank the Institute de 
Recursos Naturales (1NRF.NA) of Peru for permission to 
collect in the region, K S. Bostwick (C'UMV). Thomas 
Valqui (CORBIDI). A. T. Peterson and M. B. Robbins 
(KUNIIM). and G. F. Budney (ML) were generous in 
support of logistical aspects of the collecting and recording 
efforts, and advice on aspects of the field work. We thank I. 
j, Lovette. D. W. Winkler, and numerous staff members at 
the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology For providing all 
manner of support throughout the planning stages of the 
expedition, and L. R. Cancino fur providing logistical 
support m Lima. S. J. Socolar generously provided data 
from a forthcoming publication on the birds ol the northern 
Cerros del Sira. M. .1. Miller provided helpful unpublished 
data on bird distributions in the Ucayali lowlands. T. S. 
Sdiulenbcrg and D. F. Lane gave generously of their 
extensive knowledge of the Peruvian avifauna and J. W. 
I'il/palrick and .1. P. O'Neill helped provide the initial spark 
to undertake this project. J. V. Remscn Jr.. G, P. Servat, J. 
L) Weckstcin, and B. M. Whitney provided insightful 
comments on the manuscript. 
LITERATURE CITED 
ALEIXO, A. and F. Poletto. 2007. Birds of an open 
vegetation enclave in southern Brazilian Amazonia. 
Wilson Journal of Ornithology 119:610-630. 
Angulo. F.. W. Palomino. H. Aknal. C. Aucca, and O. 
Uchofen. 2008. Corredor de conservacion de aves 
Maranon-Alto Mayo: analisis de disUibueion de aves 
de alta prioridad de conservacion e idcntificacidn de 
propuestas de areas para su conservacion. Asoeiacion 
Ecosistemas Andinos-American Bird Conservancy, 
Cusco, Peru. 
Begazo. A. J.. T- Valqui. M. Sokol, and E. Langlois. 
2001. Notes on some birds from central and northern 
Peru. Cotinga 15:81-87. 
Benavides. M. 2005. Conservacion, derechos indigenas y 
podcr en la gestidn de los bienes communes - el caso 
de la reserva comutial El Sira en la Amazonia peruana. 
X Congreso Bienal de la Asociacibn Internacional para 
el Estudio de la Propiedad Colectiva, Lima, Peru. 
