Alejandro Solano-Ugalde’s scientific contributions

The taxonomic position of Ornate Flycatcher (Myiotriccus ornatus) within the Tyrannidae has long beenuncertain. The only nest description available suggested that the nest was an open cup but no formal,detailed description of its nest and eggs has been made. We describe aspects of the breeding biology ofOrnate Flycatcher based on four nests found in Ecuador and three in Peru. Nests are spherical, mossy ballswith a side entrance which are affixed by the back to a solid substrate, 0.8 to 5 m above the ground. Nestattachment and architecture support a close relationship with Nephelomyias and also suggest affinities tothe Pipromorphine clade (Tyrannidae), which includes Corythopis, Pseudotriccus, Mionectes, Leptopo-gon and Phylloscartes. In particular, the nest and nestling of Myiotriccus are most similar to those ofPhylloscartes and Pseudotriccus. Egg coloration, white with cinnamon markings, is also very similar toNephelomyias but suggests possibly closer relationships to other genera in this group. We conclude thatavailable information on the natural history of Myiotriccus provides general support for recent moleculardata but note that more complete genetic sampling of some genera could help to better understand itsrelationships.

La Gralarita Ocrácea (Grallaricula flavirostris) es la especie con la distribución más amplia de su género, desde Centro América hasta Bolivia. Su nido y huevos han sido descritos en ambos extremos de su distribución geográfica, pero faltaban datos de la porción central. Aquí presentamos datos de cinco nidos encontrados en tres localidades en Ecuador, representando tres subespecies distintas. Los nidos y huevos de las tres subespecies son aparentemente parecidos, pero necesitamos más datos sobre esta especie variable.

Wepresent new distributional records of birds in Ecuador evaluated by the Committee for Ecuadorian Records in Ornithology (CERO) from November 2017 through June 2019. This report includes two species new to Ecuador (Pelecanoides garnotii, Conirostrum margaritae), five species with first documented country records (Thaumastura cora, Anous minutus, Setophaga pensylvanica, S. virens, Spiza americana), two species with first documented Galapagos records (Oceanodroma hornbyi, Egretta tricolor), remarkable range extensions for 15 species (Amazilia amazilia, Aramus guarauna, Vanellus chilensis, Attagis gayi, Anous stolidus, Sterna hirundo, Thalasseus elegans, T. sandvicensis, Eurypyga helias, Mycteria americana, Plegadis falcinellus, Gampsonyx swainsonii, Rosthramus sociabilis, Glaucidium peruanum, Thlypopsis sordida), new records of 16 rare species (Oressochen jubatus, Spatula cyanoptera, Podiceps major, Stercorarius longicaudus, Larus belcheri, Pelagodroma marina, Oceanodroma markhami, Egretta rufescens, Plegadis ridgwayi, Buteo swainsonii, Megascops koepckeae, Tyrannus albogularis, Setophaga castanea, Dolichonyx oryzivorus, Icterus chrysater, I. galbula) and additional records for 8 species. Finally, we invalidate previous records of Pyrilia pyrilia published in different sources, reject records of six species submitted to CERO, and discuss six previously published, undocumented records that might prove erroneous. CERO revises and updates the country bird list, which currently stands at 1696 species (1642 confirmed and documented; 54 undocumented).

We present new distributional records of birds in Ecuador submitted to the Committee for Ecuadorian Records in Ornithology (CERO) from September 2015 through July 2017. This report includes four species new to Ecuador (Plegadis ridgwayi, Cathartes burrovianus, Malacoptila mystacalis, Vireo gilvus), two species new to Galapagos (Calidris pugnax, Larosterna inca), five species with first documented country records (Fregata minor, Syrigma sibilatrix, Calidris pugnax, Larus belcheri, Sternula antillarum), remarkable range extensions for eight species (Anas bahamensis, Fregata sp., Jabiru mycteria, Phimosus infuscatus, Caracara cheriway, Larus dominicanus, Chloroceryle aenea, Sturnella militaris), new records of eight rare species (Anhima cornuta, Mustelirallus albicollis, Larus argentatus, Larosterna inca, Myrmoborus lugubris, Machetornis rixosa, Progne elegans, Conirostrum bicolor) and new records of Nothoprocta curvirostris and Tyrannus tyrannus. We present the first Ecuadorian records of three subspecies (Tolmomyias sulphurescens insignis, Myiarchus swainsoni phaenotus, Oxyura jamaicensis andina, although the taxonomic validity of the latter is debated). Further we discuss the subspecific identity of Petrochelidon pyrrhonota in Ecuador. Finally, we invalidate previous records of 43 species for mainland Ecuador and 6 species for Galapagos, as published in different sources, and reject a remotesensing record of Cypseloides niger. CERO revises and updates the country bird list, which currently stands at 1690 species (1632 confirmed and documented; 58 undocumented).

Neotropical bird records committees have been growing in numbers, remit and prominence in recent years. This feature-by members of those committees-explains how and why committees were established and encourages birders to submit their observations directly to committees as well as sharing through other means.

The breeding biology and natural history of Gray Tinamou (Tinamus tao) is poorly known. Camera traps and artificial feeding stations allowed us to study 2 nests and to observe courtship behavior at Copalinga Ecolodge, Zamora Chinchipe province, southeast Ecuador, between February and August 2014. Nests were shallow depressions in the leaf litter. One adult male incubated 2 turquoise eggs for at least 18 d at one nest, whereas the other nest was depredated. The fledglings and adult abandoned the nest 1 d after hatching. Courtship display included chasing, coordinated movements, soft rolling vocalizations, and mating. Further, we describe plumage development from a few days after hatching to 12–13 week old immature stage and discuss the species breeding biology in comparison to other Tinamidae species.

Existen pocos registros del Colagrís Alibandeado Xenerpestes minlosi en Ecuador, la mayoría en la provincia de Pichincha. En esta nota presentamos nuevos registros de distribución y los primeros datos de reproducción en Ecuador. La especie no se considera globalmente amenazada, pero la elevada tasa actual de pérdida de bosques en su pequeño rango de distribución sugiere que su estado de conservación, al menos en Ecuador, es más crítico de lo que se considera.

Presentamos nuevos registros de distribución de aves del Ecuador que han sido presentados al Comité Ecuatoriano de Registros Ornitológicos (CERO) entre abril 2014 y agosto 2015. Incluimos reportes de seis especies nuevas para Ecuador (Anas crecca, Thalassarche bulleri, Puffinus puffinus, Morus sp., Numenius americanus y Elaenia strepera), una especie nueva para el Ecuador continental (Fregetta grallaria), cuatro especies con primera documentación en Ecuador (Calidris alpina, Larus argentatus, Stercorarius longicaudus, Tyrannus dominicensis), extensiones considerables de distribución de 14 especies (Podilymbus podiceps, Pterodroma phaeopygia, Charadrius semipalmatus, C. collaris, Bartramia longicauda, Calidris alba, Limnodromus scolopaceus, Phalaropus fulicarius, Stercorarius longicaudus, Sternula superciliaris, Chlidonias niger, Galbula dea, Elaenia spectabilis y Geothlypis philadelphia) y nuevos reportes de 12 especies raras (Aythya affinis, Sula leucogaster, Busarellus nigricollis, Stercorarius chilensis, Chordeiles minor, Psittacara wagleri, Philydor fuscipenne, Muscisaxicola fluviatilis, Pyroderus scutatus, Passerina caerulea, Vermivora chrysoptera y Setophaga castanea) y el primer reporte moderno de Oreopholus ruficollis. Además, presentamos el primer registro en Ecuador de Lurocalis semitorquatus semitorquatus y el segundo registro de la subespecie Petrochelidon pyrrhonota melanogaster. Finalmente, invalidamos los registros previos de Picumnus castelnau, especie que no habita en Ecuador. CERO revisa y actualiza el listado nacional de aves, que en la actualidad alcanza las 1678 especies (1626 confirmadas y documentadas, y 52 no documentadas).

The taxonomic position of Ornate Flycatcher (Myiotriccus ornatus) within the Tyrannidae has long been uncertain. The only nest description available suggested that the nest was an open cup but no formal, detailed description of its nest and eggs has been made. We describe aspects of the breeding biology of Ornate Flycatcher based on four nests found in Ecuador and three in Peru. Nests are spherical, mossy balls with a side entrance which are affixed by the back to a solid substrate, 0.8 to 5 m above the ground. Nest attachment and architecture support a close relationship with Nephelomyias and also suggest affinities to the Pipromorphine clade (Tyrannidae), which includes Corythopis, Pseudotriccus, Mionectes, Leptopogon and Phylloscartes. In particular, the nest and nestling of Myiotriccus are most similar to those of Phylloscartes and Pseudotriccus. Egg coloration, white with cinnamon markings, is also very similar to Nephelomyias but suggests possibly closer relationships to other genera in this group. We conclude that available information on the natural history of Myiotriccus provides general support for recent molecular data, but note that more complete genetic sampling of some genera could help to better understand its relationships. © 2016, Asociacion Colombiana de Ornitologia. All rights reserved.

We summarize bird species records submitted to the Committee for Ecuadorian Records in Ornithology (CERO) from July 2013 to March 2014. CERO compiles Ecuador’s official country checklist and updates it annually. We present four new country records (Amazonetta brasiliensis, Porzana albicollis, Haematopus ater, Chroicocephalus Philadelphia), one new country record that antedates earlier records (Vireo flavifrons), first voucher documentation for four species (Larus californicus, Pangara guttata, Conirostrum bicolor, Cardellina pusilla), and 26 significant range extensions or records of rare and poorly known species (Oceanodroma leucorhoa, Oceanodroma hornbyi, Sula leucogaster, Phalacrocorax bougainvillii, Butorides virescens, Ardea herodias, Egretta rufescens, Egretta caerulea, Eudocimus albus, Eudocimus ruber, Anas clypeata, Anas cyanoptera, Aythya afflnis, Gallinago delicata, Limosa fedoa, Larus delawarensis, Hydroprogne caspia, Glaucidium griseiceps, Chloroceryle aenea, Platyrinchus saturatus, Myiarchus crinitus, Tyrannus niveigularis, Knipolegus poecilurus, Doliomis remseni, Setophaga castanea, Lonchura malacca). Three records are from the Galapagos Islands (Oceanodroma leucorhoa, Butorides virescens, Egretta caerulea), while all others were obtained in mainland Ecuador. Six species are eliminated from the Ecuadorian list (Geotrygon violácea, Topaza pella, Attila bolivianos, Pachyramphus rufus, Pachyramphus validus, Lonchura atricapilla). Two additional records were postponed for further expert revision (Thalassarche cauta) or for additional evidence (Neomorphus pucheranit) and three submitted records were rejected (Patagioenas oenops, Hydropsalis maculicaudus, Colaptes rupicola). This information updates our knowledge of the distribution and status of poorly known species in Ecuador, as well as the national bird checklist that currently reaches 1673 species (1608 confirmed with voucher documentation, 65 hypothetical).