| Renzo Piana Arenas |
| PhD Candidate; Manchester Metropolitan University, UK |
| Distribution and abundance of the endangered grey-backed hawk in northwestern Peru |
| Location: Cerros de Amotape National Park; Tumbes National Reserve, Perú |
| Species: Grey-backed hawk (Leucopternis occidentalis) |
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Abstract: The grey-backed hawk (Leucopternis occidentalis) is an endangered diurnal raptor species endemic to the Tumbesian Zone that occurs from northwestern Ecuador to northwestern Peru. In Peru, the grey-backed hawk was first recorded in 1979 and has been reported in very few sites inside the Northwestern Biosphere Reserve. However, no research has been conducted to estimate its population size and no information on the species distribution is available.
This project will study this endangered species in northwestern Peru. Distribution and relative abundance of the species will be estimated using distance sampling methodology in order to identify habitat requirements for the species, and assess the impact of habitat conversion and fragmentation on the species population. This will result in the production of a conservation plan for the species in Peru. Results will promote conservation of Leucopternis occidentalis inside and outside three Peruvian protected areas and will help to protect the species' habitat. |
