The most abundant species during this Christmas Bird Count were American Coot (449 individuals), Pacific Parakeet (189), Tennessee Warbler (151), Great-tailed Grackle (132), Red-legged Honeycreeper (117), White-collared Swift (112), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (77), Wilson's Warbler (74), White-throated Swift (70), Vaux's Swift (69), Orange-chinned Parakeet (64), and Yellow-winged Tanager (51). The most abundant Nearctic-Neotropical migratory species was Tennessee Warbler, followed by Wilson's and Townsend's Warbler, Baltimore Oriole, and Black-and-White Warbler.
Not surprisingly, several endemic birds of the North Central American Highlands were recorded, such as Highland and Horned Guan, Blue-throated Motmot, Rufous Sabrewing, Green-throated Mountain-gem, Bushy-crested Jay, Black-capped Swallow, Rufous-browed Wren, Rufous-collared Thrush, Pink-headed Warbler, and Azure-rumped Tanager.
Atitlán volcano is part of the Atitlán Important Bird Area (IBA GT015) and this Christmas Bird Count is a simple tool to monitor bird populations in this IBA. Among the species of conservation concern recorded during the 2008 count were two globally Endangered species (Horned Guan, Azure-rumped Tanager), and two Vulnerable species (Highland Guan, Pink-headed Warbler).
A report with a complete species list is available online at: www.cayaya-birding.com/cbc/atitlan2008.htm
