Central Chile comprises a previously unknown nonbreeding area for the migratory population of Turkey Vulture ( Cathartes aura ruficollis ) breeding in the northwestern Argentine Patagonia

Abstract

Bird migration in the Neotropics is complex and highly diverse. Indeed, for many taxa, basic questions such as where they go are still relevant. Satellite-tracking studies of Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) migration have revealed extensive variability in their movement strategies, contributing to their widespread distribution. However, South American migratory populations are still among the least explored. By integrating five years of satellite-tracking data, citizen science databases and classical raptor monitoring techniques, we present a case study reporting a hitherto unknown nonbreeding area for the Turkey Vulture subspecies ruficollis. Specifically, we document that a minor proportion of the population that breeds in northwestern Argentine Patagonia migrates northwards to central Chile at the beginning of the austral autumn. Our findings improve our basic knowledge of the Turkey Vulture migration within the Neotropics and establish a baseline to study the movement strategies of the migratory ruficollis populations breeding in high latitudes of South America.