Friday, January 26, 2018

Italian raptor biologists in Patagonia

Thanks to the 4th CUIA call for inter-universities projects, the University of Urbino has  carried out a project on the impact of human activities on Patagonian's ecosystems. Professor Riccardo Santolini coordinated the project with the collaboration of prof. A. Catorci from the University of Camerino and M. Berteloti from CENPAT-CONICET (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas Centro Nacional Patagónico). The fieldwork was carried out in the Valdez Peninsula (Argentina) across 451 km in november 2012 and april 2013. 95 raptors were observed (43 in 2012 and 52 in 2013) belonging to 9 different species. The commonest observed raptors were  Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) and Chimango caracara (Milvago chimango). The results of this project are published here:

  • Pruscini F., Morelli F., Perna P., Mazzeo R., Cavitolo P., Bertellotti M., Catorci A. & Santolini R. 2016. Roadside raptor surveys in Valdes Peninsula (Patagonia, Argentina). Hornero 31: 7-11.
Here below a picture of the field team (from the left P. Perna, F. Pruscini, R. Santolini, F. Tardella, A. Catorci e S. Cesaretti) and a picture of a female Variable hawk (Geranoaetus polyosoma).