Long-wattled Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus penduliger)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 0925816

Organization: Asociacion CALIDRIS is a not for profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) based in Cali, Colombia which has worked since 1989 to advance the understanding of national avifauna. Currently, we are carrying out research and education programs in different parts of the country with the goal of contributing to the conservation of this resource and the ecosystems upon which its existence depends. Asociacion Calidris arose in 1989 when a group of students from the Universidad del Valle biology department decided to continue the work they began in an elective course on the Ecology of Marine Birds and Shorebirds. This course was directed by Dr. Luis German Naranjo. Initially, the central purpose of Calidris was migratory shorebird research at Buenaventura Bay. As time passed and projects expanded it became necessary for the group to officially organize itself as an NGO. In 1993, after completing all legal requirements, Calidris took the title “Asociacion” and obtained its legal capacities for operation. Asociacion Calidris has since developed and supported various movements supporting avifauna and key ecosystem conservation. Environmental education has been one of the areas of work that has expanded most dramatically with the organization’s growth. The development of such education projects has granted Calidris close relationships with communities located in important conservation locales. In all this process, Asociación Calidris has extended its lines of actions in different initiatives. One of them is Focal species which is a research group within the organization and its main purpose is answer biological and ecological questions of endangered species in order to contribute for their conservation. This initiative works mainly in wetlands and cloud forest of western slope of Andes. Recently our efforts are expanded to cover different areas to carry out our actions; one is wet forest of the western slope. This has become one of our major goals due to this region holds several species which presents high threats by habitat loss, hunting and illegal traffic. Mission: To promote avian conservation in Colombia and the rest of the Western Hemisphere through research, education, and other activities contributing to this purpose. Vision: Become a Colombian leader in the conservation of avian species and their habitats through management, research and education. Geographical area of the project: The project site is Alto Anchicaya which belongs to Farallones National Park with a cloud-forest habitat between 950 and 1050m. The study area is an important water reserve which harbors 270 bird species, 13 are endemic of Chocó bioregion and 8 are threatened. However, the information about the status of endangered species is not accurate and not up to date. Considering the particular diversity of the area, monitoring populations and evaluating the possible impact of present and future threats is of great interest to avian conservation. Target species: Our target species is Long-wattled Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus pewnduliger) which is endemic from Colombia and Ecuador, its populations have decreased and it is considered globally as a vulnerable (VU) though in Ecuador is endangered (EN).