Jalova Monthly Achievement Report, December 2013

R ECORD OF THE ELUSIVE AND VULNERABLE A GAMI HERON

IN T ORTUGUERO N ATIONAL P ARK
Summary
Tortuguero National Park holds a great biodiversity of waterbirds, which are good
bioindicators of ecosystem health. Amongst these birds, it is possible to find the agami
heron, one of the least well know species of herons. It is very rare throughout its range,
and was seen only few times by GVI in the couple past years. GVI is thrilled to announce
now that in December 2013, staff and volunteers got a very good sighting of this rare bird
during the nocturnal surveys organized by previous bird project leader Heather Gilbert. We
will continue with the nocturnal surveys, in order to gain more information about this
mysterious bird, as it can be a good bioindicator for Tortuguero National Park.
Report
Tortuguero National Park is known for its great biodiversity of birds. Waterbirds found in
and around the National Park are not only major tourist attractions, but they are also
important bioindicators to evaluate biodiversity, health and quality of the ecosystem, due to
their distribution and different specializations. In special, top predators, as birds from the
family Ardeidea, have an important role as bioindicators of ecosystem health, as they can
accumulate toxic from prey species, and also may be exposed to a variety of
contaminants, as they move from country to country.
Jalova Canal Birds Biodiversity Assessment focus mainly on 30 target species chosen in
conjunction with our partner MINAE. However, some of these target species are more
elusive and rarer than others. The agami heron (Agamia agami) is an example. This is one
of the least known herons and is a species of particular interest in Tortuguero National
Park. In 1988 it was classified as near threatened by IUCN and in 2009 as least concern. It
is currently listed as vulnerable and has an unknown population trend. It is rare throughout
its range with little published information available about feeding ecology, nesting behavior
and density.

Due to its low density and nocturnal habits, this heron was seen only few times by GVI.
Thus, to discover more about this animal, GVI staff organized a nocturnal bird survey.
Every month, since August 2013, GVI canal bird project leader organizes nocturnal bird
excursions for volunteers, hoping to get more sightings and information on this species.
On December 2013, GVI finally got 2 sighting of this bird at the Cao Negro canal.
Volunteer and staff were thrilled with the sight of such rare species. As it can be a good
bioindicator of ecosystem quality for Tortuguero National Park, we wish to continue the
nocturnal surveys, in order to gain more information on the behavior, distribution and
ecology of this species. Besides, nocturnal surveys per se provide a lot of excitement and
fun for both volunteers and staff, as the canals can look different from day to night.
Tortuguero National Park administration (AcTo/MINAE/SINAC) is very interested in
gathering data on agami herons and there is a suspected breeding colony along Sierpe
Viejo transect. The nearest documented agami heron breeding site is situated 7km SE of
Puerto Limon. This site contained 11 active nests.

Figure 1 Agami heron in Cao Negro canal