Distribution, threats and conservation of the White-collared Kite (Leptodon forbesi, Accipitridae), the most threatened raptor in the Neotropics

Abstract

The White-collared Kite (Leptodon forbesi) is an endemic and threatened raptor of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Here we present the known records of the species, describe the vegetation types where it was found and show Ecological Niche Models generated using Maxent algorithm. Most of the presence data were recorded in open ombrophilous forest and seasonal semideciduous forest in the states of Alagoas and Pernambuco. Maxent model had a good performance (AUC = 0.982 ± 0.004 SD), showing higher suitability for the species from Paraíba to Alagoas states. Maxent average model revealed a distribution range of 20,344 km² and an area of occupancy of 1,636.89 km². The most suitable areas for the species are those near watercourses and streams. We suggest the creation of protected areas, including private ones, and possible restoration actions to connect the most suitable forest fragments, along with the captive breeding, as the most appropriate strategies for the conservation of the White-collared Kite.

Distribution and identification of the White-collared Kite Leptodon forbesi and the juvenile plumages of the Gray-headed Kite Leptodon cayanensis

“…We revised all available literature (see a compilation in Pereira et al, 2019) and 4,681 photographic and filming records of Leptodon raptors in online databases (Wikiaves and Macaulay Library; all published media until August 2020). Wikiaves records are referred throughout the text by the "WA access number".…”

“…Photos by Ciro Albano and Cayo Lima, respectively. Pereira et al, 2019 and in the text above; the two circles in Sergipe are the photos WA3954496 and WA3608338), white squares represent the records of L. cayanensis in Sergipe (Pereira et al, 2014;Silva & Lima, 2016; Fig. 7), and the white triangle represents a subadult Leptodon sp.…”

“…Finally, it is worth noting that Pereira et al (2019) recently performed a distribution modeling of L. forbesi, but they considered a record in Rio Grande do Norte (WA2263455) as a probable dispersion. However, new and/or unpublished records (see Sagot-Martin et al, 2020) suggest that L. forbesi is resident in Rio Grande do Norte state.…”

“…The second species, L. forbesi, occurs in the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil, but there are some questions about the extent of its geographic distribution. There is no doubt on the occurrence of L. forbesi throughout the Pernambuco Center of Endemism (PCE) -the Atlantic Forest north of the São Francisco river, from Alagoas to Rio Grande do Norte states -but some authors suggest a wider distribution, south of the São Francisco river in Sergipe and Bahia states, occurring in sympatry with L. cayanensis (Seipke et al, 2011;Leite et al, 2017;Pereira et al, 2019).…”

Avifauna no Refúgio de Vida Silvestre Mata do Buraquinho, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil, com notas naturalísticas sobre as espécies ameaçadas

“…Para a RVS Mata do Buraquinho existe registro de uma das espécies em perigo de extinção (Brasil, 2016) no nordeste brasileiro. O gavião-gato-do-nordeste Leptodon forbesi (Swann, 1922) é uma das aves de rapina mais ameaçadas do mundo, com registros pontuais na região nordeste do Brasil Pereira et al, 2014;Pereira et al, 2019).…”