Aim As a result of their ecological traits, woodpeckers (Picidae, Aves) are highly sensitive to forest cover change. We explored the current land cover in areas of high species richness of woodpeckers to determinate regions where urgent conservation actions are needed. In addition, we identified woodpecker species that are sensitive to forest loss and that have high levels of human habitat modification and low levels of protection (through protected areas) in their distribution ranges. Location Global. Methods We joined available range maps for all extant 254 woodpecker species with information of their conservation status and tolerances to human habitat modifications and generated a richness map of woodpecker species worldwide. Then, we associated this information (the richness pattern and individual species’ maps) with land cover and protected areas (PAs) maps. Result We found that the foremost woodpecker species richness hotspot is in Southeast Asia and is highly modified. At the second species richness hotspot in the eastern Andes, we observed a front of deforestation at its southern extreme and a greater deforested area in its northern extreme but most of its area remains with forest coverage. At the species level, 17 species that are sensitive to forest modification experience extensive deforestation and have low extents of PAs in their ranges. Main conclusions The most diverse woodpecker hotspots are mostly occupied by human‐modified landscapes, and a large portion of the species there avoids anthropogenic environments. The level of representation of woodpecker species in PAs is low as a global general pattern, although slightly better in Asia. Our global analysis of threats to woodpecker from land use patterns reiterates the urgent conservation needs for Southeast Asian forests. Finally, based on our results, we recommend a re‐evaluation for inclusion in the Red List of five woodpecker species.

Forest fragmentation threatens bird species throughout the world. Previous studies suggest that the sensitivity of bird species to forest fragmentation is related to food abundance, and that this could be a key factor in understanding demographic changes. We assessed the relationship between forest fragment size, isolation and food abundance and the abundance of seven common species of birds in southern Chaco forests of Argentina, which use different food items, and are involved in different ecosystem processes. The relative abundance of Turdus amaurochalinus (Creamy-bellied Thrush) and Saltator aurantiirostris (Golden-billed Saltator) significantly decreased with patch size reduction, whereas the relative abundance of Taraba major (Great Antshrike) decreased with patch isolation and increased with arthropod abundance. Chlorostilbon lucidus (Glittering-bellied Emerald), Elaenia parvirostris (Small-billed Elaenia), Polioptila dumicola (Masked Gnatcatcher) and Zonotrichia capensis (Rufous-collared Sparrow) appeared to be resilient to forest fragmentation. Body size was a good predictor of bird sensitivity, as only the largest species were negatively correlated with forest fragmentation. Previous work suggests that birds inhabiting Chaco forests may be resilient to forest fragmentation. This needs to be reconsidered in the light of our results since the abundance of three out of seven common bird species was negatively related to forest fragmentation.

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R������. La pérdida y fragmentación del bosque pueden alterar la abundancia de recursos alimentarios que consumen distintos grupos de aves. Estudiar cómo se relacionan distintos indicadores de la fragmentación con la abundancia de alimentos consumidos por una amplia diversidad de aves puede ayudar a entender los efectos indirectos de la fragmentación del bosque sobre sus poblaciones. Trabajamos en fragmentos de bosque chaqueño en Córdoba, Argentina. Estimamos la abundancia relativa de artrópodos, flores, frutos y semillas (alimento para distintos gremios tróficos de aves) en un gradiente de fragmentación, tanto en verano como en invierno. Durante el verano, Celtis ehrenbergiana y Lycium cestroides ofrecieron más del 90% de los frutos y flores estimados, respectivamente. Durante el invierno, Solanum argentinum aportó casi la totalidad de los frutos ornitócoros estimados. La abundancia de artrópodos (durante el invierno) y de semillas (en ambas estaciones) aumentó con la reducción del área de los fragmentos y se observó una mayor abundancia en el borde respecto al interior de los fragmentos. Sólo observamos una relación negativa entre la fragmentación y la abundancia de frutos ornitócoros y flores ornitófilas para algunas especies individuales. Con respecto a la estacionalidad, la abundancia relativa de artrópodos fue significativamente menor durante el invierno, mientras que la abundancia relativa de frutos ornitócoros y semillas en el suelo fue similar entre estaciones. La disminución de la abundancia de flores en invierno fue tan drástica que nos imposibilitó realizar comparaciones estadísticas. Este trabajo ofrece una primera aproximación a la abundancia de recursos alimentarios que consumen las aves y su respuesta a la fragmentación en un sector del bosque chaqueño.[Palabras clave: estacionalidad, recursos alimenticios] A�������. Forest fragmentation effect on potential food sources for birds in Córdoba. Forest loss and fragmentation can affect food resources consumed by different avian groups. A be�er knowledge on the relationships between different proxies of forest fragmentation and food resources consumed by a wide diversity of avian species can help us understand the indirect effects of forest fragmentation on bird populations. We worked in forest patches in the Chaco forest of Córdoba, Argentina. We estimated the relative abundance of arthropods, flowers, fruits and seeds (food items for different bird feeding guilds) in a fragmentation gradient during summer and winter. During the summer season, Celtis ehrenbergiana and Lycium cestroides offered >90% of the total fruits and flowers estimated abundance, respectively. Solanum argentinum offered most of the estimated fruit abundance during the winter season. Arthropod abundance (in winter) and seed abundance (in both seasons) increased with patch size reduction; moreover, we observed higher abundance in the forest edge than in the interior. We only found a negative effect of forest fragmentation on fruit and flower abundance for individual species. Regardi...

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Located in central Argentina, Córdoba province hosts a large and diverse number of avian species. Approximately 376 native bird species within 51 families have been recorded (

La región fitogeográfica del Espinal en Argentina está críticamente amenazada, ya que gran parte de su territorio históricamente cubierto por bosque fue convertido a cultivos. Con el fin de evidenciar el valor de conservación de bosques relictuales en la región, realizamos un inventario de las especies de aves presentes en uno de los relictos de Espinal más grandes del centro de la provincia de Córdoba, evaluando si cumple con las condiciones para formar parte de la red de Áreas de Importancia para la Conservación de las Aves (AICAs). Registramos 116 especies, pertenecientes a 32 familias, lo cual representa aproximadamente un cuarto del total de especies citadas para la provincia. La ocurrencia de una “especie amenazada a nivel mundial” (Rheaamericana), dos “especies de distribución restringida a nivel nacional” (Poospizaornata y Xolmisrubetra), y 18 especies “específicas de un bioma” hace que este relicto de Espinal cumpla al menos con tres de los criterios para considerar un área como AICA. Este trabajo resalta el gran valor del sitio estudiado para la conservación de las aves, constituyendo un reservorio regional de diversidad. En base a estos resultados y a la crítica situación de conservación que enfrenta el Espinal, consideramos que es imprescindible revalorizar el área como un AICA.