Habitat utilization and species diversity among birds at a puna lake in Argentina

Abstract

A brief study of the bird community was carried out in Laguna Socompa (Salta, Argentina) between 19 November - 6 December 1984. Twenty-seven bird species were registered; 16 terrestrial and 11 aquatic and shorebirds. Lessonia rufa and Hirundo rustica were the most abundant of terrestrial birds. Lophonetta specularioides, Anas flavirostris and Larus serranus were the most abundant of waterbirds. The relationships between habitat complexity, habitat use frequency for birds and species diversity, in three places of lake, are discussed. Five functionals groups (or spatial associations) were distinguished in base habitat use frequency. They are: 1. saltish water birds (Phoenicopterus chilensis and Phoenicoparrus andinus); 2 shorebirds (Recurvirostra andina, Charadrius alticola, Anas flavirostris and Lophonetta specularioides);3. freshwater and puddle birds (Larus serranus and Calidris bairdii); 4. swamps birds (Lessonia rufa, Hirundo rustica, Thinocorus orbygnianus, Anthus correndera and Petrochelidon sp.) and 5. rocky-shrubberies birds (Muscisaxicola rufivertex, M. maculirostris and Sicalis uropygialis).