Nothura minor (Tinamidae) a globally threatened Cerrado species new to Paraguay

The grasslands of central South America, and in particular the Cerrado, have recently been recognised as one of the highest conservation priorities in the Neotropics (Dinerstein et al. 1995, Wege and Long 1995, Collar 1996, Stotz et al. 1996). This recognition has brought closer attention to Cerrado areas in Paraguay, which along with the southern Brazilian Cerrado (Silva 1995), have long been overlooked by ornithologists and conservationists alike. A number of recent bird surveys have focused on Cerrado sites in Paraguay, including Aguara Nu, in the Mbaracayu Forest Nature Reserve, Canindeyu Department (Lowen et al. 1996, Clay et al. 1998), and Serrania San Luis National Park, Concepcion Department (Robbins et al. 1999). Since 1999, ourselves and co-workers have been documenting the Cerrado avifauna at Laguna Blanca, San Pedro Department. Among the most significant discoveries have been populations of two globally threatened Cerrado endemic species, the Whitewinged Nightjar Eleothreptus candicans (e.g. Lowen 2002) and Lesser Nothura Nothura minor. Here we present details of the first records of N. minor for Paraguay, and the first documentation of the species’ occurrence outside of Brazil, based on visual records, tape-recordings and a specimen. “Laguna Blanca” is a natural island of Cerrado habitats, covering approximately 26,000 ha, immediately to the north of a lake of the same name. Originally surrounded by humid Atlantic-type forest, most of this has now been cleared for agriculture. The habitat island is divided between several properties, but the majority of our fieldwork has been conducted at the “Establecimiento Laguna Blanca”, particularly in the vicinity of “Retiro Malvina”. This 2,250 ha property, centered on 23°49’S, 56°18’W, at a mean elevation of 215 m, was formerly used for low-intensity cattle-ranching, but is now primarily dedicated to tourism (at the adjacent Laguna Blanca lake). The region holds almost 18,000 ha of well-preserved Cerrado habitats (Guyra Paraguay unpubl. data). The gently undulating terrain of Establecimiento Laguna Blanca, which RESUMO. Nothura minor (Tinamidae) uma especie globalmente ameacada do Cerrado nova para Paraguai. A Codorna-mineira e um inhambu endemico do Cerrado e globalmente ameacado, considerado previamente restringido ao Brasil. Aqui nos documentamos os primeiros registros para Paraguai, incluindo um especimen e gravacoes das vocalizacoes, provenentes de habitats de campo sujo em Laguna Blanca, departamento de San Pedro. Tamben sao apresentadas notas sobre a ecologia e o comportamento da especie, incluindo as primeiras observacoes do uso de ocos de tatu quando o individuo e ameacado, e potencialmente como sitio de descanso. Laguna Blanca e uma area muito importante de Cerrado, onde mais cinco especies globalmente ameacadas foram registradas. As areas circundantes foram convertidas a agricultura mecanizada, e o restante do habitat natural merece tratamento como una prioridade conservacionista a nivel global.