Abstract:
We present distribution records of the Gurney´s Buzzard Buteo poecilochrous in the high Andean region of Colombia and Ecuador. We found a total of 32 localities where the species has been recorded, either as verified study skins, field observations by ourselves and other experienced observers and bibliographic citations. The buzzard is locally common in grassy paramos of the volcanoes of the western and eastern cordilleras of Ecuador above elevations of 3000 m and has so far been recorde north to 1 N in southern Nariño Department in Colombia. Furhter south in Ecuador the species becomes rare as the highlands remain mostly below 3000 m and the páramos are mainly bush páramos. All nest sites of B. poecilochrous in Ecuador were on cliffs between 3500 and 4600 m. The Gurney´s Buzzard is sedentary and territorial, and polyandrous groups have been recorded at Antisana Mountain in Ecuador.
