Osa’s Yellow-billed Cotinga

Project Animal(s) : Yellow-billed Cotinga
Project Category : Birds
Project Region : North America, South America
Project Type : Conservation
Project URL : http://osaconservation.org/projects/wildlife/birds/osas-yellow-billed-cotinga/
Project is timebound? : No

The Yellow-billed Cotinga (Carpodectes antoniae) is a unique regional endemic species whose global population is estimated to be a mere 250 – 999 individuals. Historically found from central Costa Rica down into Panama along the Pacific coastal slope, this bird is now believed to only reside in the mangroves and adjacent rainforests of the Osa Peninsula and Golfo Dulce. It is listed as endangered by BirdLife International but the limited availability of information on its current distribution and abundance likely warrants this species to be uplisted to critical.

Osa Conservation completed a scientific study of the spatial and temporal distribution of this highly endangered bird. Using radio tracking, we were able to follow these birds and determine what habitat they are using for breeding and feeding. We are using this information to inform a regional protection strategy which includes the creation of a reserve that will protect the most critical habitat for these birds. In protecting this land, we can protect a multitude of other flora and fauna that depend upon the same intersection of forest and mangrove habitats.

Project Agency : OSA Conservation

Project Agency Contact : http://osaconservation.org/