[tomjenner]

For the last 4 seasons I have spent my free time studying the almost completely unknown White-breasted Hawk in the pine forests of El Salvador and Honduras. There has been very little published on the species (or possibly subspecies of Sharp-shinned Hawk) that I am interested in finding out if anyone has any observations that may be of use to me. I am particularly interested in any sightings outside of the normal range (the highlands of Chiapas in mexico, southern Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua) and any information on feeding behaviour.
This year I would like to take a DNA sample (by pulling out a feather) to compare with Sharp-shinned Hawk. If anyone can give me any advice on how to do the analysis and where to get a sample from a Sharp-shin, I would really appreciate it.
Tom

[Rasmus Boegh]

Haven't seen the White-breasted Hawk...

For DNA samples of Sharp-shinned hawk the major Natural History Institution of the US should have samples. Surely they would be happy to help, when you make clarify what it's all about.

It's a hard subject, especially as there are no fixed rules as for how many % mtDNA divergence is needed for species recognition. In some (mostly widespread) species a genetic variation of several % is known, but there is still a significant geneflow between different populations. In other species, there is a variation on less than 2%, but they still maintain their genetic integrity in spite of contact zones. So, as you surely know, you would probably have to use analytic approaches (gene flow models, coalescence methods etc.).
Not at least: For such a study to be usefull, you would need to collect DNA samples from several individuals, otherwise the truthfulness of the whole analyse can be questioned.

[tomjenner]

Thanks Rasmus. DNA analysis is actually an area that I know very little about. What I really want to do is to sort out the whole Accipiter striatus superspecies. Most authors now recognise the four main forms as separate species, ie: Accipiter striatus, Sharp-shinned Hawk; Accipiter chionogaster, White-breasted Hawk, Accipiter ventralis, Plain-breasted Hawk; and Accipiter erythronemius, Rufous-thighed Hawk. The AOU currently lump them all together, but this is based on the fact there is almost nothing published on any of the Latin American forms. I have recently made some studies of skins in the British Museum collection and I may have tracked down sources for recordings of all four forms. I know of a person studying erythronemius in Brazil, but I am desperate to find anything on ventralis, from the northern part of South America. Weren't you there until recently, and if so, I don't suppose that you have any info or contacts that could help me?
I would appreciate any advice that anyone can give me.
Tom

[Rasmus Boegh]

I am somewhat reluctant to pass on other peoples private emails for obvious reasons. However, just about everyone I know with a major knowledge on South American birds (and you will find many of the writers of important South American fieldguides there aswell) are active users on the Birding Peru Yahoo group.

It's open to everybody (though somewhat anoyingly you need a yahoo id), from beginners to people who are in the absolute forefront of "bird-science". It is normally restricted to discussions on Peruvian and Bolivian birds, but knowledge exceeds this region by far. So, I'd advice you to mention what you plan on doing, and therefor request for any relevant info on A. ventralis (it occurs in much of highland Peru). I'd take the liberty to estimate that 98% of what is known about this form, will be known by someone one this list. Sadly I've only seen A. ventralis once myself. A very un-spectacular view of an somewhat frightened individual dashing by me.

If you for some reason prefer not to become a member of the above group, sent me a PM with what you would like info on, and I will forward it to the group (I'll just ask everybody to sent any answers to your mail).