HIGHLAND AVIAN SURVEYS IN CERRO HOYA NATIONAL PARK (AZUERO, PANAMÁ) REVEAL NEW RANGE EXTENSIONS, INCLUDING A RARE HUMMINGBIRD (SELASPHORUS SP.)

Cerro Hoya National Park in Panama (CHNP) is one of the least explored protected areas in southern Mesoamerica. It houses the greatest ecosystem diversity in the degraded Azuero Peninsula, but its inaccessibility hinders expeditions and scientific research. Avian richness in CHNP was previously estimated by combining data from five ornithological expeditions at ca. 225 species. However, the highest altitude areas remained relatively unexplored and some historical records were not verified. We intensively surveyed highlands and foothills of CHNP and identified five new range extensions. One of these included a Selasphorus sp., of which we collected three male (two adults, one immature) and one female specimens. We compared morphology and plumage color patterns of these with closely related species in detail and confirm their likely classification with the endangered Glow-throated Hummingbird (Selasphorus ardens). This species is rare, with few documented sightings, confirmed specimens, and no unambiguous female museum specimen until now. We also confirmed historical records and provide 26 unlisted species (one by an external source) to CHNP. Our results confirm that Cerro Hoya is a highly biodiverse skyisland of Mesoamerica. We urge improved enforcement of its protection in combination with further studies of the ecology and evolutionary processes in this unique region.