Denes el al. • LEPTODON FORBESI IS A VALID SPECIES 
329 
spicuously black color in this region. Additionally, 
oneL cayanensis (MZUSP 22067) from Lago do 
Baptista. Amazonas State, shows extensive white 
lesser uppcnving coverts, a plumage feature that 
probably rendered a white leading edge to the wings 
while the birds was alive. Due to the considerable 
variation in this character, it should not be 
considered a diagnosis for the taxa in question. 
The character that gives L forbesi its popular 
r>ume. the white collar, instead of gray as in L 
cayanensis, occurs in all specimens in the 
museum and in the field (Fig. 2A). This character 
can also be considered diagnostic, as all speci¬ 
mens of L cayanensis examined had gray collars. 
The tips of the scapulars, mantle, and wing 
quills are white in museum specimens and in at 
least one of the individuals observed in the field 
iFtg. 2A). This pattern is lacking in all of the 
specimens of L cayanensis. Due to the lack of 
data resulting from the difficulty in assessing this 
character in wild specimens, and the scarcity of 
museum specimens of L forbesi, more evidence is 
needed to clarify its use. 
The broad white band on the tail has probably 
been considered the most important character for 
identification of L. forbesi, being the easiest to 
recognize in the field (Fig. 2B). However, we 
•ound this broad white band, although occurring 
i'i the type and in the MZUSP specimens, is 
absent in some individuals observed in the field. 
We also saw four reproductive pairs in the field 
for which one of the birds had a broad white band, 
*hite the others had two smaller white bands 
separated by a black band. This suggests the 
character is not diagnostic and possibly associated 
10 sexual dimorphism in tail pattern. 
Color pattern in the under surface of the 
remiges is also informative. Both primaries and 
secondaries in adult L. cayanensis have conspic- 
uous black barring with narrower bars on the 
secondaries. The bars in adult L forbesi are 
reduced on the secondaries and. in some eases. 
a PPear almost entirely white (Fig. 2B). Thirteen 
n| 19 birds observed in the field, for which this 
toning was seen, had highly contrasting barring 
0n primaries and secondaries, four had less 
contrasting patterns, and two had rather non¬ 
contrasting patterns on primaries and secondaries. 
Tfo* character should be considered diagnostic 
for species of the genus Leptodon despite the 
v ariation encountered in L. forbesi. 
Status and Conservation .—The Atlantic Forest 
in northeastern Brazil is critically endangered 
(Ribeiro et al. 2009) with a large percentage of its 
original extent already destroyed and the remain¬ 
ing forests highly fragmented and impacted by 
hunting and logging. However, we found Lepto¬ 
don forbesi in every location that we sampled 
(Seipke et al. 2011). Further studies ate needed to 
estimate population density, habitat availability, 
and reproductive success to better understand the 
conservation status of this species. 
Distribution of White-collared Kite .—Most of 
the literature describes the range of L. cayanensis 
extending throughout tropical humid Central and 
South America (e.g., Thiollay 1994. Stotz et al. 
1996. Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001). an area 
that includes the narrow : northern section of the 
Atlantic Forest where L. forbesi occurs (eastern 
Alagoas and Pernambuco states, northeastern 
Brazil). However, the only Leptodon specimens 
found in the collections from that region are 
White-collared Kites. Further, no Grey-headed 
Kites were observed during extensive field 
surveys in the area (Seipke et al. 2011). 
Redefinition of the diagnosis tor both species 
suggests that many if not all of the previous Grey¬ 
headed Kite records in the White-collared Kite’s 
range, most of which are not documented by 
either photographs or specimens, are doubtful at 
the least, and that probably both species are 
allopatric. Grey-headed Kite records from the 
immediate south of this area (Sergipe and 
northern Bahia stales) lacking documentation 
should also be viewed with caution. Whether the 
While-collared Kite’s range extends as far south 
as northern Bahia remains to be verified as new 
records arise, based on the precise field identifi¬ 
cation data available (Seipke et al. 2011). 
However, southern Bahia is apparently within 
Grey-headed Kite range, as exemplified by two 
MZUSP specimens from llheus and many docu¬ 
mented records (LFS, pers. obs.). 
Uncertainty still exist in details of the life 
history of the White-collared Kite, including 
juvenile color patterns and geographic distribution 
among others, but recognizing this species as 
valid is important. Its validation will pave the way 
for future studies of its natural history, morphol¬ 
ogy. population dynamics, biogeography, genetic 
structure as well as help examine its status as a 
threatened species. 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 
This sludy was funded by The Peregrine Fund and The 
Neotropical Bird Club. FVD received scholarship support 
