[Z.J. Grabowski]

Hi to all members of our community,

yesterday evening I was back from my 15 days trip to Brazil. It was not only a birding trip and I could bird only on four full days and on some early mornings, that's why the species count is not very high (135)

The main target bird of the trip was Araripe Manakin (Antilophia bokermanni) discovered only 5 years ago in a very small area in southern Ceará. Thanks to my guide Paulo I was able to see this magnificient bird

The total population of Antilophia bokermanni is estimated to about 300 specimen.
Unfortunately, the habitat of this species is endangered through deforestation and leisure activities. Lot of money is needed to buy-out the last areas where Antilophia is breeding. Soon I will edit a special website on this topic trying to raise some funds for preventing A. bokermanni from extinction. I hope for your support !

My trip report will be edited soon.

bye,

Zbyszko

[Steve]

Hi Zbyszko,

Any pictures would be very welcome for the data base.

[Swift]

It truly is a stunning species I remember when I first clapped eyes on it, I was not even sure what it was supposed to look like the only info I had was look for a Manakin similar to Helmeted but different colours!!! At that point It had not been named.

[Z.J. Grabowski]

Originally Posted by Steve

Any pictures would be very welcome for the data base.

I have only filmed one male with my video camera recorder.... Unfortunately I have some problems to connect it to my PC . I have some digital pics of the habitat of A.bokermanni so I can put them in the apprioprate gallery.

[Z.J. Grabowski]

Originally Posted by Swift

It truly is a stunning species I remember when I first clapped eyes on it, I was not even sure what it was supposed to look like the only info I had was look for a Manakin similar to Helmeted but different colours!!! At that point It had not been named.

It is great to meet another A.bokermanni fan on the forum!!! Swift, could you tell some more details where and when you have seen this bird? It still has not a German name

[Z.J. Grabowski]

Hello,

my trip report, species list and an article about A.bokermanni are online now but only in German. I am working on English translation which will be edited asap.

http://www.widmobrockenu.net/birding.html

Zbyszko

[Edward woodwood]

my friend has just been to see this too (and Lear's Macaw, Cherry-throated Tanger etc) and it is a truly stunning bird made all the more emigmatic by it's extremley precarious status. I didn't think there were even 300 left - I believe only 15 have been observed? and that this population is a projection based on available habitiat?

best of luck with the protection project.

[Z.J. Grabowski]

Originally Posted by Tim Allwood

my friend has just been to see this too (and Lear's Macaw, Cherry-throated Tanger etc) and it is a truly stunning bird made all the more emigmatic by it's extremley precarious status. I didn't think there were even 300 left - I believe only 15 have been observed? and that this population is a projection based on available habitiat?

best of luck with the protection project.

Thank you for support.
Last week I have received from the author a booklet with the results of a most recent survey on A.bokermanni (Weber Silva & Péricles Rêgo: Conservacao do soldadinho-do-araripe... Recife,2004). Due to the latest counts there were exact 43 males found at 15 locations and the range is estimated to about 50 km². The projection based on suitable habitat results in an estimation of a total of 783 specimens. My former inofficial information was about estimated 300 specimens. Neverthelles it is very small population and if the desctruction of habitat will continue it can collapse very quickly.
There is a protection programm (supported by the BP) running now till May of 2005. After that new funds will be necessary to continue.

best regards,

Zbyszko

[Edward woodwood]

Good to see BP doing something positive - kind of makes up a little for their activities in Colombia.

that's a nice avatar by the way.... I must see that bird one day

[Z.J. Grabowski]

Originally Posted by Tim Allwood

Good to see BP doing something positive - kind of makes up a little for their activities in Colombia.

that's a nice avatar by the way.... I must see that bird one day

Hi Tim,

and I am dreaming now of Pitta gurneyi... I think this bird is even more endangered. I will support your OBC action buying some pics.

Nevertheless I will concentrate on support for Antilophia bokermanni trying my best in Germany and at NBC "Cotinga".

BTW your "Forktail" avatar is very nice too.

After more than 30 years birding I think the most important thing is conservation and we should concentrate all our efforts on this matter.

best regards,

Zbyszko