The maca tobiano (Podiceps gallardoi) it’s a endemic bird of Patagonia and was discovered in 1974, in the province of Santa Cruz. It has a very striking appearance due to its plumage, which gives rise to its name. Its head is black and it has a crest of elongated brown and reddish feathers, the body is black but the wings are white with some white feathers. Thus, “tobiano” derives from the double color of its plumage, which is also assigned to horses with this type of appearance. It is a small bird, with a length of 35cm and an approximate weight of 530 grams.
The macá tobiano feeds on small aquatic invertebrates, such as snails, insect larvae, crustaceans, and small fish. Macaes are diving birds, capable of developing their entire life cycle in water. They do not need the terrestrial surface to reproduce since they build floating nests in the lakes and lagoons that they inhabit. In them they lay two eggs, where the incubation lasts 21 days.
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The numbers of individuals of the macá tobiano are decreasing at alarming numbers. In 25 years its population was reduced by 80%. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categorized the species as “Critically Endangered” therefore the macá tobiano can become extinct in 10 years if immediate conservation measures are not taken.
Its main predator is the Kelp Gull. which attacks nestlings, but due to the introduction of the invasive alien species American mink, predation by the Tobiano maca has increased. A single mink individual can make a single colony of Maca tobiano disappear, since it can kill 30 adult maces in a single night.
On the other hand, the introduction of the rainbow trout has modified the limnological profiles of the lagoons where the bird lives, and climate change is altering its behavior and lifestyle. Likewise, the advance of man, urbanization and the construction of hydroelectric dams modify the biological community of the lagoons.
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The macá tobiano is considered the guardian of the Patagonian steppe.
MACÁ TOBIANO PROJECT
Since 2009, Aves Argentinas, Ambiente Sur and CONICET have carried out measures to control the numbers of the species and fortunately have managed to establish the population. The species has been studied in order to know its distribution, its migratory routes, its resting areas and the reproduction lagoons.
For this, monitoring, censuses, and telemetry are carried out. Also, attempts are being made to control the populations of exotic species such as the American mink and rainbow trout. On the other hand, they are also taking a Awareness project for the communities of the region.
Macá tobiano has been determined as Provincial Natural Monument of Santa Cruz, which gives the species high protection and prioritization in conservation. At present, the population of the macá tobiano has been established, but equally the bird must not stop protecting itself and being monitored in order to avoid future threats.
SOURCES:
Argentine Birds
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