2009 BirdLife International

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americas@birdlife.org
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ISBN: 978-9942-9959-0-2
Recommended citation: DEVENISH, C., DAZ FERNNDEZ, D. F., CLAY, R. P., DAVIDSON, I. & YPEZ ZABALA, I. EDS. (2009) Important Bird Areas Americas - Priority sites for
biodiversity conservation. Quito, Ecuador: BirdLife International (BirdLife Conservation Series No. 16).
To cite this chapter: SOAZO, P. O., RODRGUEZ JORQUERA, I., ARREY GARRIDO, P & JARAMILLO, A. (2009) Chile. Pp 125 134 in C. Devenish, D. F. Daz Fernndez, R. P.
Clay, I. Davidson & I. Ypez Zabala Eds. Important Bird Areas Americas - Priority sites for biodiversity conservation. Quito, Ecuador: BirdLife International (BirdLife
Conservation Series No. 16).
The purpose of the information contained in this book is to support conservation initiatives in the Americas, for which it may be reproduced. Using this information for
commercial purposes is not permitted. If part or all of this information is used or included in any other publication, BirdLife International must be cited as copyright holder.
Those who provided illustrations or photographs in this book have copyright over them and these are not permitted to be reproduced separately to the texts accompanying
them.
The presentation of material in this book and the geographical designations employed do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of BirdLife
International concerning the legal status of any country, territory or area, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Membership of BirdLife International
does not imply any opinion or position with respect to sovereignty issues on the part of BirdLife International Partner organizations.
Graphic design: Alejandro Miranda Baldares (alejoanime@yahoo.com)
Translations: Christian Devenish, tala Ypez Zabala & Amiro Prez-Leroux
Maps: David F. Daz Fernndez, tala Ypez Zabala & Christian Devenish
Edition of Spanish language country chapters: tala Ypez Zabala, Carlos Huertas Snchez & David F. Daz Fernndez
Graphic design volunteer (Spanish language country chapters): Adriana Valencia Tapia
Printed in Ecuador by Poligrafca C.A.
This publication and all country/territory chapters in their native languages are available for download at www.birdlife.org/
lmportunt rd Areus AMERICAS
lutrco Crtz Souzo, lgnuco Rodrguez }orqueru, ledro Arrey Currdo & Avuro }urumo

1he Crtcuy Lndungered }uun lernundez lrecrovn |Sephano|des |etnandens|s) s

restrcted to ll km
2
o rugmented hubtut on u snge sund n the }uun lernundez
urchpeugo. Serous threuts ncude uen nvusve punts und mummus.
lhoto: levn D. Muck, vvv.rurebrdsyeurbook.com
l25
Che
Areu:
lopuuton |2006):
Cuptu:
Attude:
Numbcr of lBAs:
TotaI lBA arca:
lBA covcragc of Iand arca:
1otu number o brds:
Cobuy threutened brds:
Cobuy threutened brds n lAs:
Country endemcs:
756,096 km
2
l6,l00,000
Suntugo
06893 m
114
1
4,685,549 hu
6.2 %
438
33
22
11
GcncraI introduction
Country facts at a gIancc
Chile is a long narrow country on the southwestern edge of South America, lying between the Andes and the
Pacifc Ocean. It stretches from the country`s northern limit at a latitude of 1730` S to the Islas Diego Ramrez
at 5630` S. Chile borders Peru to the north, Argentina and Bolivia to the east and the Pacifc Ocean and Drake
Passage to the west and south, respectively. Chilean offshore islands include the Juan Fernndez archipelago, Islas
Desventuradas (San Flix and San Ambrosio) and Isla Sala y Gmez. In all, Chile includes the mainland territory,
offshore South American islands, a Polynesian island (Easter Island or Rapa Nui) as well as an Antarctic claim.
Chile is a democratic republic and unitary state with three separate branches of government: the executive, headed
by the president of the republic; legislative, represented by the bicameral Congreso Nacional with a house of
representatives and senate; and judicial, under the responsibility of the Courts of Justice. Chile is divided into
15 regions, 53 provinces and 345 municipalities or comunas. Governance of these administrative divisions is
decentralized. Chile has a population of 16,100,100 inhabitants, of which 4.6% (692,192) consider themselves
to belong to one of eight ethnic groups: Mapuche, Aymara, Rapa Nui, Atacameo, Alacalufe, Colla, Quechua or
Yamana (INE, 2002).
Chile`s shape, and latitudinal range, allow for a great variety of landscapes, climates, fora and fauna, creating a
country of many contrasts. It has a rugged geography, with the Andean cordillera acting as a backbone, running
through the country from north to south, reaching altitudes of over 6000 m. Parallel to the Andes, a coastal
mountain range, the Cordillera de la Costa, rises to heights of up to 3000 m. Starting just north of Santiago, a
central depression lies between the Andes and the coastal mountain range, with grassland and wetland ecosystems
in the north, valleys in the central southern region, and breaking up into an intricate system of gulfs, channels,
estuaries and islands south of Puerto Montt. The northern sector of the country, from Santiago to the Peruvian
border lacks the low intermontane valley, although a high desert plain exists between the coastal cliffs and the
Andes. Several rivers originating in the Andes complete the geographic makeup of the country, the majority of
lurque Nuconu Luucu, one o ll4 proposed lAs to dute.
lhoto: }umes C Loven, vvv.pbuse.com/umes_oven
1
Figures in this table refer to proposed IBAs. Information is not complete, given that IBAidentifcation in Chile is still ongoing.
l26
which cross the country from west to east, fowing into the Pacifc
Ocean over the length of Chiles long and biodiversity-rich coastline.
Many northern rivers provide the only vegetated habitats that connect
the ocean to the highlands, the landscape otherwise being absolute
desert. Chile is located in a geologically-unstable area, with frequent
earthquakes and over 110 volcanoes, factors which continue to shape
the countrys landscape today.
Chile`s climate is similarly varied, infuenced by factors such as the
Humboldt current, the Andes, the Cordillera de la Costa, the area of
high pressure around the tropics and the mid-latitude low. This makes
for dry, desert conditions in the north, harsh alpine conditions and
glaciers in the Andes, some of which reach the coast in the south, a
Mediterranean climate in the center with marked seasons and a wet,
cool and temperate climate in the south.
In terms of fauna, Chile is not as diverse as many neighboring South
American countries, approximately 1932 vertebrate species exist in
Chile, including 147 mammals, 456 birds, 94 reptiles, 56 amphibians
and 1179 fsh (CONAMA 2008). Many of these species are under
some degree of threat and nearly all freshwater fsh are seriously
threatened (Campos et al. 1998).
The State System of Protected Areas (SNASPE, in Spanish) contains
the greatest area under legal protection in Chile and is managed by the
National Forestry Service (CONAF). Approximately 14,000,000 ha
are under the responsibility of this institution, representing 19% of
the countrys area. The system is made up of 96 areas, divided into
three types: national parks (33), natural reserves (48) and natural
monuments (15).
Other protection categories exist in Chile, such as those managed by
the Council for National Monuments. However, these areas can come
under the responsibility of civil organizations when the sites in question
are private. The law regulating these type of protected areas prohibits
activities such as construction, excavation, fshing, hunting or any
other which could threaten their natural state. A multiple use marine
protection category was established in 2005 as a management tool for
marine and coastal areas, including functions such as maintenance,
protection and restoration of natural and cultural resources.
Despite the considerable size of the protected area system, it mainly
covers the Andes leaving several habitat types poorly represented, for
example, the coast; the Mediterranean ecosystems in central Chile
(where the greatest impacts on native vegetation have been concentrated);
the Tarapac valleys (Estades 2004); and the Myrtaceae swamp forests
of the south (Hauenstein 2002) which provide habitat to birds of high
conservation interest, such as endemic species or those with small
population numbers. The government has recently established several
important ecosystems as priority sites for biodiversity conservation
(CONAMA 2003). However, although these complement the lack of
representation within protected areas, their denomination does not
necessarily ensure their effective conservation.
Since 1997, the National Committee for the Protection of Flora and
Fauna (CODEFF, BirdLife affliate in Chile) has played a key role
in setting up a private protected areas network in the country. The
network aims to create capacity within members, draft and implement
management plans for reserves, establish legal protection for sites,
obtain incentives to encourage the conservation of wilderness areas
and promote exchange of experiences, information, training and
access to technical and legal assistance. The network currently has
100 members, made up of individuals, NGOs, universities and other
private sector organizations working on the conservation of private
wilderness areas. The network has a committee dealing with the
management of private protected areas, a legal affairs committee and
a committee responsible for identifying potential conservation areas
and prospective buyers for these lands. The network is currently
made up of 133 sites, covering 100,000 ha along the length of the
country.
National legislation, directly or indirectly related to bird conservation
in Chile, includes a law on hunting (1996), determining uses and
conservation categories for wild fauna according to IUCN criteria
except for marine species. However, the list only has a total of 427
species of birds for the country, 11 less than that by Marin (2004),
in itself a more conservative listing for the wealth of Chilean birds
than other publications (see Ornithological importance). The law
on fshing and aquaculture (1995) prohibits hunting or trapping of
marine mammals, birds and reptiles for a 30 year period.
Chile has signed and ratifed 10 international agreements related to
bird protection in Chile, including the Convention for the Protection
of Flora, Fauna and Natural Scenic Beauties of America, Convention
on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora, Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Convention on Migratory
Species and Convention on Biological Diversity, among others.
However, these agreements have not had the desired effect, given
that governmental organizations responsible for supervising these
agreements lack an adequate legal framework and suffcient funds to
implement them in an effcient manner.
1he proposed lA, lurque Nuconu Luucu, vus decured u osphere Reserve n l98l.
lhoto: }umes C Loven, vvv.pbuse.com/umes_oven
1he protected ureu system contuns 96
ureus, representng l9% o the country,
uthough severu hubtut types
ure poory represented.
l27
Che
Although several sources give a total number of bird species for Chile
(e.g. Araya et al. 1995, Jaramillo et al. 2003, Martnez & Gonzlez
2004, Marn 2004), the most conservative estimate is 438 species,
excluding casual sightings. Of these, only 11 are endemic to the
country and six are near endemic (Marn 2004).
According to BirdLife International (2007), Chile has 33 threatened bird
species
2
, of which, four are Critically Endangered (two of which occur
exclusively in the Juan Fernndez archipelago), six are Endangered and
23 are Vulnerable. There are also 28 Near Threatened species and three
classifed as Data Defcient. Taxonomic changes in the near future may
further increase the number of threatened birds in Chile.
The IUCN global red list for birds, under the responsibility of BirdLife
International, is one of the most widely used in Chile at present.
However, the National Environmental Commission (CONAMA) is
implementing a new national classifcation using IUCN criteria, given
the multitude of red lists also in use in the country. The initiative comes
as part of a general law on the environment (19.300; D. S. N 75/2005).
According to the national classifcation by Glade (1988) 43 species
are under some degree of threat, one of which is considered extinct,
Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis), 10 are Endangered and 32
Vulnerable, although several of these species have relatively abundant
populations outside of Chile. Nevertheless, this list has been employed
in the country for many years due to a lack of detailed and up-to-date
information. Other, more recent documents, detailing threat categories
to birds include the frst national bird conservation strategy (Rottmann
& Lpez-Callejas 1992) and a second strategy (Estades 2004),
produced by the Chilean Union of Ornithologists (AvesChile). Specifc
bird species or groups for which threat status has been established in
Chile include raptors (Jaksic & Jimnez 1986, Jaksic et al. 2001),
seabirds (Schlatter & Simeone 1999), Spheniscus penguins (Luna et
al. 2005), inland waterbirds (Victoriano et al. 2006) as well as specifc
workshops for Magellanic Woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicus)
and Burrowing Parakeet (Cyanoliseus patagonus).
Five Endemic Bird Areas with a total of 32 restricted-range birds fall
within Chile, two of which lie exclusively inside the country: Juan
Fernndez Islands (EBA 059) and Central Chile (EBA 060). The
other three are shared with neighboring countries: Peru-Chile Pacifc
slope (EBA 052), Chilean temperate forests (EBA 061) and Southern
Patagonia (EBA 062).
Central Chile (EBA 060) has the greatest number of country endemics:
Moustached Turca (Pteroptochos megapodius), Chilean Mockingbird
(Mimus thenca), White-throated Tapaculo (Scelorchilus albicollis)
and Chilean Tinamou (Nothoprocta perdicaria); whereas Chilean
temperate forests (EBA 061) includes species such as Chilean Pigeon
(Patagioenas araucana), Slender-billed Parakeet (Enicognathus
leptorhynchus), Black-throated Huet-huet (Pteroptochos tarnii),
Chucao Tapaculo (Scelorchilus rubecula) and Ochre-fanked Tapaculo
(Eugralla paradoxa; shared with EBA 060).
The Juan Fernndez archipelago, made up of Robinson Crusoe,
Alejandro Selkirk and Santa Clara islands, is of special interest due to
its high levels of endemism in fauna and fora, including three endemic
species and four subspecies of birds. The three endemic species are
threatened and restricted to the Subtropical Pacifc biome: Critically
Endangered Juan Fernandez Firecrown (Sephanoides fernandensis),
Masafuera Rayadito (Aphrastura masafuerae) and the Near Threatened
Juan Fernandez Tit-tyrant (Anairetes fernandezianus). It also provides
important, and in some cases the only, breeding sites for seabirds
such as the Vulnerable endemics: De Filippis Petrel (Pterodroma
deflippiana), Stejnegers Petrel (Pterodroma longirostris) and
Juan Fernandez Petrel (Pterodroma externa) as well as Pink-footed
Shearwater (Puffnus creatopus) and White-bellied Storm-petrel
(Fregetta grallaria).
Mugeunc \oodpecker |Campeph||us mage||an|cus) s
the urgest vng voodpecker n the Amercus.
lhoto: }umes C Loven, vvv.pbuse.com/umes_oven
Cheun Mockngbrd |M|mus |henca), one o ll brd speces endemc to
Che, s uso restrcted to the Subtropcu lucc |S1l) bome.
lhoto: }umes C Loven, vvv.pbuse.com/umes_oven
uck-throuted Huet-huet |I|etop|ochos |atn||) und
Chucuo 1upucuo |Sce|otch||us tubecu|a) ure restrcted
to the Cheun temperute orests LA.
lhoto: Murtn Lspnosu
2
There are two changes according to the 2008 IUCN Red List, Bullers Albatross (Thalassarche bulleri) is downlisted to NT and Peruvian Pelican
(Pelecanus thagus) is recognised as a species and classifed as NT. This directory uses 2007 categories throughout.
l28
Chile has four biomes according to the classifcation by Stotz et al.
(1996), with at least 70 biome-restricted species; Central Andes (CAN)
in the north of the country, Subtropical Pacifc (STP) in the north and
center of the country, Southern Andes (SAN) and Patagonia (PAT) in
the south.
Chile is especially important for migratory shorebirds and seabirds due
to the countrys long coastline, the system of large estuaries and the
infuence of the Humboldt current. The Humboldt current is one of
the most productive marine areas in the world and a globally important
marine habitat for both migratory and resident species. The Chilean
coast provides habitat to signifcant proportions of global populations of
species such as Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica; on Chilo and
Baha Lomas, Tierra del Fuego), Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa avipes),
Red Knot (Calidris canutus), Sanderling (C. alba), Whimbrel (Numenius
phaeopus), Elegant Tern (Sterna elegans) and Franklins Gull (Larus
pipixcan). Twenty-eight percent of the latter species global population
was estimated to overwinter in Humedal Rocuant-Andalin (IBA 52) in
February 2008 (P. Ortiz, P. Arrey pers. comm.). Threatened migratory
species include Antipodean Albatross (Diomedea antipodensis),
Northern Royal Albatross (Diomedea sanfordi) and Chatham Albatross
(Thalassarche eremita). The Chilean coast also has the most numerous
colonies of the Near Threatened Red-legged Cormorant (Phalacrocorax
gaimardi) on the planet. The importance of Chile as a breeding area for
1he Neur 1hreutened Mugeunc lengun |Sphen|scus
mage||an|cus) s hunted or but und threutened by sheres
und o sps. lt trggers lA crteru ut sx stes n Che.
lhoto: lgnuco Rodrguez
1he mportunce o Che to seubrds s
much greuter thun prevousy
understood.
lep Cu |Iatus dom|n|canus). lhoto: lutrco Crtz Souzo
Box 1
Thrcats to bird habitats in ChiIc
landscapc typc Thrcats
Lrbun ureus
Agrcuturu ureus
und orestry
Coustu zones
Lrbun expunson, ng n o vetunds, eru dogs, vuter pouton
lermunent deorestuton |u chunge n und use rom orest, through ugrcuture, to orestry puntuton), pouton through use o
pestcdes.
1ruvng, pouton rom ndustru outets, ndscrmnute huntng, toxc sps, uquucuture, o-roud vehce use on senstve beuches
TabIc 1. 1hreuts ussocuted vth brd hubtuts n productve undscupes
ln u rst upproxmuton o ts knd, our zones huve been estubshed or brds n productve undscupes: urbun, ugrcuturu,
orestry und coustu ureus. ln u o these zones, dverse hubtuts ure ut serous rsk |1ube l). 1he vorst ht ecosystems ure
the urbun vetunds vhch huve been rugmented und ed n to muke vuy or economc grovth ussocuted vth port und
nrustructure deveopment. Che's mun ornthoogcu veuth es n these type o ecosystems, undernng the mportunce o
conservng them und obtunng stute recognton us mportunt ureus or conservuton.
Desembocuduru de Ro ltutu |49) s u key restng und eedng ste or lrunkn's Cu |Iatus p|p|xcan), vhere more thun 50,000 ndvduus huve been recorded.
lhoto: lutrco Crtz Souzo
Cheun Huvk |cc|p||et b|co|ot ch||ens|s) muy be u
sepurute speces rom cooured Huvk.
lhoto: Crstobu rceo
Mugeunc 1upucuo |Scy|a|opus mage||an|cus) s
restrcted to the Southern Andes |SAN) bome.
lhoto: Crstobu rceo
l29
Che
temperate and subantarctic seabirds is only recently becoming clear.
Recent counts at Isla Guafo determined the Sooty Shearwater (Puffnus
griseus) colony there to be the largest seabird colony on earth with 4
million birds (Reyes-Arriagada et al. 2007). Chile also has 1.35 million
pairs (80% of the world population) of Blue Petrel (Halobaena caerulea)
nesting in one island group (Lawton et al. 2006), as well as the second
largest colonies of the Endangered Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche
melanophrys) and the Vulnerable Grey-headed Albatross (T. chrysostoma),
accounting for over 20% of the world population (Robertson et al. 2007).
These are all very recent counts, the importance of Chile to seabirds is
much greater than previously understood and much work remains. For
example, although most of the countrys colonies of Storm-petrels are not
yet known, they too will surely be of global importance.
Other ornithologically important regions include the highland plateaus,
with important populations of famingos, such as the Near Threatened
Puna Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi) and Pampa del Tamarugal,
the main breeding site for the Vulnerable Tamarugo Conebill
(Conirostrum tamarugense).
Due to increasing interest in birding and bird research in Chile, it is
probable that several species will change their taxonomic status e.g.
Bicoloured Hawk (Accipiter bicolor chilensis) or threat category e.g.
Warbling Doradito (Pseudocolopteryx aviventris) if the Chilean form
is recognized as a separate species (Jaramillo 2003).
Threats to avian habitats in Chile are directly related to various
types of economic production. Over the last three decades, Chile has
experienced an important period of economic growth, based mainly
on export of raw products in the following areas: mining, aquaculture,
industrial fsheries, agriculture and forestry (Box 1). This has brought
about dramatic changes to landscapes and has put yet more pressure
on scarce natural resources. Threats to birds are especially related to
coastal wetlands and marshlands. Legislation does not exist to protect
these ecosystems, and as a result they have been severely degraded
over the last decade.
Rottmann and Lpez-Calleja (1992) identifed major threats to Chilean
birds as habitat alteration (affecting 57,5% of species), agriculture,
mining and forestry (56,2%), hunting (47.5%), changes in the food
chain (43.8%) and pollution (18.7%), although for almost half of the
country`s species (42.5%), specifc threats were unknown. In terms
of Chilean seabirds, Schlatter and Simeone (1999) recognized the
following threats: egg collecting, interactions with fsheries, introduced
animals, collection of guano and hunting for use as bait.
Che hus 80% o the vord
popuuton o ue letre nestng n one
sund group.
The IBA program began in Chile with an initial set of IBAs identifed
by members of the Unin de Ornitlogos de Chile (formerly
UNORCH, now known as AvesChile). Sites identifed at this stage
were principally on the coast and islands, mainly covering marine
birds. Later, CODEFF (as BirdLife affliate) took on the task of
identifying a further set of areas based on an extensive list prepared
by lvaro Jaramillo in 2008. This list was discussed, supplemented
and modifed later that year in workshops organized by CODEFF
with independent ornithologists, academics and government offcials
from the Ministry of Agriculture, CONAMA and the National
Forestry Corporation (CONAF), among others. The IBA identifcation
process is still underway in Chile, given that not all areas of the
country have yet been covered. It is hoped that this frst stage will be
concluded in 2009 when workshops in these underrepresented areas
have been held. Therefore, sites are presented as proposed IBAs in
this directory until the identifcation and delimitation process has
been successfully concluded with the participation of the wider
ornithological community.
lBA ovcrvicw




























1


1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

1
1
1
1
1
1





1
1
1
1
1

1
1

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1

2
2
1
1
1
3
X





X

X
X

X

X

X
X
X
X
X

X


X


X

X
X







X






X
X
X
X
X




X













X
X



X


X
X
l
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
l0
ll
l2
l3
l4
l5
l6
l7
l8
l9
20
2l
22
23
24
25
26
27
Vue de lutre
lurque Nuconu Luucu
Desembocuduru de Ro Lutu
Vue de Lutu
Costu sur de Arcu
Corrente de Humbodt Arcu
Vue Azupu
Acuntudos de Arcu
Vue de Chucu
Vue de Codpu
Suur de Surre
Vue Cumurones
Suur de Huusco
Reservu Nuconu lumpu de 1umurugu
Desembocuduru de Ro Lou
luyu Horntos
uhu de Meones
Reservu Nuconu Los lumencos - Soncor
lsus Desventurudus
lurque Nuconu lun de Azucur
Lugunus ruvus
Suur de ledru lurudu
lsu Crunde de Atucumu
luerto Veo
Lugunu de Negro lruncsco y Lugunu Suntu Rosu
lsu Chuuru
Reservu Nuconu lngno de Humbodt -
lsu Choros y Dumus
Regon de Arcu y lurnucotu
Regon de Arcu y lurnucotu
Regon de Arcu y lurnucotu
Regon de Arcu y lurnucotu
Regon de Arcu y lurnucotu
Regon de Arcu y lurnucotu
Regon de Arcu y lurnucotu
Regon de Arcu y lurnucotu
Regon de Arcu y lurnucotu
Regon de Arcu y lurnucotu
Regon de Arcu y lurnucotu
Regon de Arcu y lurnucotu
Regon de 1urupucu
Regon de 1urupucu
Regon de Antougustu, Regon
de 1urupucu
Regon de Antougustu
Regon de Antougustu
Regon de Antougustu
Regon de Vupuruso
Regon de Antougustu, Regon
de Atucumu
Regon de Atucumu
Regon de Atucumu
Regon de Atucumu
Regon de Atucumu
Regon de Atucumu
Regon de Coqumbo
Regon de Coqumbo
l0,000
l37,883
300
l0,000
l0,000
l0,000
209,l3l
664
6,687
l,000
ll,298
5,086
l20,000
l00,650
62,500
4,800
l0,000
73,986
823
8,000
70
78,400
92l,600
l,000
49,900
507
352
TabIc 2. lroposed lmportunt rd Areus n Che
3
3
Temporary IBAcodes have been used in Table 2 and Figure 1. l30
















1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
28
29
30
3l
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
4l
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

5l
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
6l
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
7l
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
8l
82
83
84
85
87
86
88
89
90
9l
lsu 1go
lsotes luuros
uhu de Coqumbo
luntu Lenguu de Vucu
lurque Nuconu osque de lruy }orge
Reservu Nuconu Lus Chnchus
Monumento Nuturu lsu Cuchuguu
Lstero Muntuguu y Desembocuduru de
Ro Aconcuguu
lsote Concon
Humedu de utuco
lsu luuro No de Agurrobo
Suntuuro de u Nuturuezu Yerbu Locu
Desembocuduru de Ro Mupo
Vue de Yeso
Reservu Nuconu Ro Curo
lurque Nuconu Archpeugo de
}uun lernundez, lsu Aexundro Sekrk
lurque Nuconu Archpeugo de }uun
lernundez, lsus Robnson Crusoe & Suntu Curu
Humedu L Yu
Desembocuduru de Ro Cuhu
Reservu Nuconu Atos de Lrcuy
Lugo Cobun
Desembocuduru de Ro ltutu
Corredor oogco Nevudos de Chun-
Lugunu de Luu
lurque 1umbes 1ucuhuuno
Humedu-Mursmu Rocuunt Anduen
Suntuuro de u Nuturuezu lennsuu de Huupen
Desembocuduru de Ro o-o
Lugunu Crunde de Sun ledro de u luz
y Humedu Los utros
Reservu Nuconu Nonguen
Humedu-Lstuuro 1ubu-Ruqu
Lugo Lunuhue
Monumento Nuturu Contumo
Suto Ruyen
lsu Mochu
Desembocuduru de Ro lmperu
Lugo ud
Monumento Nuturu Cerro Neo
lurque Nuconu Conguo
lurque Nuconu Huerquehue
lurque Nuconu Vurcu
luntu Roncu
lsu Muquuhue
Suntuuro de u Nuturuezu Curos Anvundter
lurque Nuconu luyehue
lurque Nuconu Vcente lerez Rosues
lurque Nuconu Aerce Andno
Desembocuduru de Ro Chumzu
Lstuuro de Muun
Cerro Amortoudo
lsu Dou Sebustunu y lennsuu Chocoy
Lenqu
luntu Coronu
Suntuuro de us Aves uhu de Cuun
uetumuhue
lngnerus de luhu
lsu Metuqu
Curuco de Veez
Lstero Hudud
luuo
lutemun
lsu unchuo
lurque Nuconu Choe
lurque lumun
ueon
Regon de Coqumbo
Regon de Coqumbo
Regon de Coqumbo
Regon de Coqumbo
Regon de Coqumbo
Regon de Coqumbo
Regon de Vupuruso
Regon de Vupuruso
Regon de Vupuruso
Regon Metropotunu
Regon de Vupuruso
Regon Metropotunu
Regon de Vupuruso
Regon Metropotunu
Regon Metropotunu
Regon de Vupuruso
Regon de Vupuruso
Regon de Vupuruso
Regon de Lbertudor Ceneru
ernurdo C'Hggns
Regon de Muue
Regon de Muue
Regon de o - o
Regon de o - o
Regon de o - o
Regon de o - o
Regon de o - o
Regon de o - o
Regon de o - o
Regon de o - o
Regon de o - o
Regon de o - o
Regon de Lu Aruucunu
Regon de Lu Aruucunu
Regon de o - o
Regon de Lu Aruucunu
Regon de Lu Aruucunu
Regon de Lu Aruucunu
Regon de Lu Aruucunu
Regon de Lu Aruucunu
Regon de Lu Aruucunu
Regon de Los Lugos
Regon de Los Lugos
Regon de Los Ros
Regon de Los Lugos
Regon de Los Lugos
Regon de Los Lugos
Regon de Los Lugos
Regon de Los Lugos
Regon de Los Lugos
Regon de Los Lugos
Regon de Los Lugos
Regon de Los Lugos
Regon de Los Lugos
Regon de Los Lugos
Regon de Los Lugos
Regon de Los Lugos
Regon de Los Lugos
Regon de Los Lugos
Regon de Los Lugos
Regon de Los Lugos
Regon de Los Lugos
Regon de Los Lugos
Regon de Los Lugos
Regon de Los Lugos
62
l0
836
l,950
9,959
4,229
5
275
l2
500
5
ll,575
l0,000
48,400
l3,085
9,57l
9,57l
ll,500
35
l6,000
5,700
300
560,000
l20
l,500
2,666
270
660

2,93l
2,600
3,400
82
l00
2,368
l0,000
3l3,600
90
60,823
l2,500
63,000
l26
9
4,877
l07,000
23l,000
39,255
874
l0,000
9
450
290
270,000
l76
575
45
50
l,000
l,000
l,000
l,000
l0,000
43,007
3l7,000
l0,000
l3l
Che
To date, 114 IBAs have been proposed in Chile (Table 2, Figure 1).
Of these, 37 are fully protected, two are partially protected and 75
lack any form of legal protection. The IBAs proposed in Chile have
been identifed on the basis of 134 trigger species (those meeting
the IBA criteria). A total of 81 sites have been proposed for criteria
A1, triggered by 45 species in this criterion (threatened and Near
Threatened species). For A2 (restricted-range species), 42 sites have
been proposed, resulting from 25 species restricted to fve Endemic
Bird Areas. Fifty-fve sites have been proposed for A3 (biome-
restricted species), triggered by 68 species restricted to four biomes.
Finally, under the A4 criteria (congregatory birds), 74 sites have been
proposed, with 67 congregatory species for A4i and A4ii.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
3
1
1
3
1
1
1
2
2
1
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
l00
l0l
l02
l03
l04
l05
l06
l07
l08
l09
ll0
lll
ll2
ll3
ll4
uhu de Yudud
lsu Cuuo
lsu Soturo
Serru uguues
lurque Nuconu 1orres de lune
lsu Dego de Amugro
luerto Nutues
lsote Lvungestu
Mursmu uque uemudo

Norte de lsu Crunde de 1erru de luego
uhu Lomus
lurque Nuconu lsu Mugduenu
lngneru Ctvuy
Monumento Nuturu Lugunu de os Csnes
uhu Chotu, lorvenr
lsu Recuudu
lsote Leonurd
lsu Nor
lsote Abutros - Seno Amruntuzgo
lsus ldeonso
lsus Dego Rumrez y Rocus Norte
lurque Nuconu Cubo de Hornos

lsu Lvout
Regon de Los Lugos
Regon de Los Lugos
Aysen de Ceneru Curos
lbuez de Cumpo
Regon de Muguunes
y u Anturtcu Chenu
Regon de Muguunes
y u Anturtcu Chenu
Regon de Muguunes
y u Anturtcu Chenu
Regon de Muguunes
y u Anturtcu Chenu
Regon de Muguunes
y u Anturtcu Chenu
Regon de Muguunes
y u Anturtcu Chenu
Regon de Muguunes
y u Anturtcu Chenu
Regon de Muguunes
y u Anturtcu Chenu
Regon de Muguunes
y u Anturtcu Chenu
Regon de Muguunes
y u Anturtcu Chenu
Regon de Muguunes
y u Anturtcu Chenu
Regon de Muguunes
y u Anturtcu Chenu
Regon de Muguunes
y u Anturtcu Chenu
Regon de Muguunes
y u Anturtcu Chenu
Regon de Muguunes
y u Anturtcu Chenu
Regon de Muguunes
y u Anturtcu Chenu
Regon de Muguunes
y u Anturtcu Chenu
Regon de Muguunes
y u Anturtcu Chenu
Regon de Muguunes
y u Anturtcu Chenu
Regon de Muguunes
y u Anturtcu Chenu
780
30,000
l00
l0,000
43,769
525
9
l74,744
4,200
l0,000
58,946
l57,6l6
l20
82
580
ll,200
l9
22,500
l0,000
l,000
l,920
63,093
676
For information on trigger species at each IBA,
see individual site accounts at BirdLife`s Data
Zone: www.birdlife.org/datazone/sites/
COMING SOON!
Given that IBA identifcation in Chile is still ongoing, the program offers
numerous opportunities, many of which are also in process of construction.
For the frst time, a complete list of important sites for bird conservation in
Chile will be obtained on the conclusion of this process. Achievements of IBA
identifcation will include an increased interest in the study and observation
of birds among local communities as well as providing more information on
issues such as migratory fyways, stopover and feeding sites, unexplored areas
of the southern coast, nesting sites, territory sizes, habitat use, the effects of
intensive farming and introduced species, among many others.
The IBA Program will also provide an opportunity to strengthen species
conservation within proposed IBAs that already have some kind of
conservation designation, for example, sites within SNASPE, Ramsar
sites, priority sites for biodiversity conservation, privates reserves and
hunting-free reserves (see Conservation and protected area system). Also,
birding and nature tourism will be strengthened in proposed sites such as
Next steps n the lA progrum v
ncude vuduton o stes vth the
vder ornthoogcu communty.
l32
figurc 1. Locuton o proposed lmportunt rd Areus n Che
Humedal de Batuco (37), Humedal-Marisma Rocuant Andalin (52), as
well as other sites near large urban centers, which have the potential to
act as breeding grounds for many future ornithologists, conservationists
and birders. A further challenge will be to mitigate threats present in
many of the afore-mentioned sites, some of which could even lead to their
proximate disappearance if action is not taken (e.g. Box 2).
The IBA program in Chile also has the potential to play a fundamental
role in actions such as
establishing a modern law on fora and fauna conservation
implementing biodiversity conservation strategies
restoring wetlands which have become deteriorated as a result of a
culture which ignores their value
encouraging multi-sector working groups (including public institutions,
private companies, local communities)
Next steps in the IBA program in Chile will include further validation of
sites with the wider ornithological community at regional workshops,
full confrmation of the complete set of IBAs as well as strategic
planning, implementation of conservation actions and site monitoring,
among others.
Data sources
Information from regional workshops (Santiago, Concepcin I & II, 2008),
lvaro Jaramillo (unpublished report) and eBird Chile.
Contact information
Ignacio Rodrguez Jorquera (irodriguezj@gmail.com)
National IBA Coordinator
CODEFF
Ernesto Reyes 035, Providencia, Santiago, Chile.
Tel. +56 2 7772534
Patricio Ortiz Soazo (portizsoazo@gmail.com)
IBA Program Coordination Team
CODEFF Filial Concepcin
Anibal Pinto 215, OF2B, Concepcin, Chile
Tel. +56 41 2239163/ 2270156
www.codeff.cl
Contribute to information on Chile`s birds!
www.ebird.org
l33
Che
Cne o the most drumutc epsodes umong envronmentu dsusters n Che vus undoubtedy the
pouton o the Cruces Rver n the Curos Anvundter nuture reserve, Vudvu, south-centru Che. 1hs
protected ureu und rst Rumsur ste to be desgnuted n the country, s u 4877 hu vetund compex vthn
the estuury system o the Vudvu Rver. lt vus creuted by un eurthquuke n l960. Cver the yeurs, t becume the
prncpu South Amercun nestng ste or uck-necked Svun |Cygnus me|ancotyphus), vth ut eust 6000 ndvduus
recorded ut the begnnng o 2004 uccordng to Nutonu lorestry Corporuton |CCNAl). Hovever, tovurds the end o thut yeur,
betveen 300 und l000 svuns, us ve us other brds und sh, vere ked by u mussve pouton event ut the ste. As u resut, pructcuy the vhoe
o the remunng popuuton o svuns suddeny et, cuusng u nutonu und nternutonu scundu.
A study by the Lnversdud Austru de Che concuded thut the Ceco ceuose uctory, ocuted upstreum rom the dsuster, hud been responsbe or
ths hurmu ncdent. Hovever, severu uter studes, dvdng scentc opnon, cume out both n uvor und ugunst the uctory, dscredtng, to u certun
extent, the vuue o scence n Che. Currenty, egu proceedngs ure beng tuken ugunst Ceco or cuusng envronmentu dumuge. 1hs event s u ur
reecton o the current stuuton concernng speces und hubtut protecton n the country: there s ncreusng uvureness o the vuue o bodversty
on the purt o the generu pubc, but u uck o eectve protecton n protected ureus, gvng rse to the need or u eguy dened nsttuton to tuke
responsbty or envronmentu protecton n Che.
Hud ths ste been dented us un lA ve yeurs ugo, t voud huve quued us huvng the second hghest congreguton o uck-necked Svuns n the
vord. Snce the dsuster, trends n svun numbers huve been unceur, uthough breedng hus been recorded ut the ste. 1hereore, t remuns to be seen
vhether the ste v meet lA threshods or ths speces |see methods, Appendx l).
We would like to thank all those who participated in the initial stage of the process
by providing support and valuable information, as well as helpful comments on this
chapter, especially, Ana Araya, Luz Alegra, Ignacio Azcar, Cristbal Briceo,
lvaro Berrios, Cecilia Bonilla, Cristian Cornejo, Juan Contreras, Carolina Carmona,
Fernando Daz, Lus Espinosa, Martn Espinosa, Cristian Estades, Astrid Guerra,
Yamil Husein, Rodrigo Hananias, Ana Hinojosa, Jim A. Johnson, Rodrigo Lpez,
Claudia Mora, Loreto Matthews, Miguel A. Mancilla, Edison Maldonado, Ricardo
Orellana, Marta Riquelme, Jurguen Rottmann, Jorge Ruz, Roberto Schlatter, Fabrice
Schmitt, Claudia Silva, Frank Trebilcock, Franklin Troncoso, Pilar Valenzuela, Ana
Mara Venegas, Andreas Von Meyer and Bernardo Zentilli. Thanks also to James
Lowen for kindly providing additional photographs.
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fnvironmcntaI disastcr highIights Iack of cffcctivc protcction
Box 2
uck-necked Svun |Cygnus me|ancotyphus). lhoto: lutrco Crtz Souzo
l34