Potential habitat modeling of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus in Baja California Sur

Abstract

The Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) is a migratory bird emblematic of the culture in northwestern Mexico. Its western population is classified as internationally threatened due to the reduction and fragmentation of its habitat. For this reason, this study aims to improve knowledge of the ecology and distribution of this species in the Los Cabos region of Baja California Sur. To achieve this objective, the MaxEnt program was used, incorporating environmental variables such as NDVI, temperature, slope, land use, and wind speed, along with historical occurrence records and data collected during monitoring conducted in 2020 and 2021. The model produced two detailed maps: a distribution map and a potential habitat model for the species, allowing the identification of areas with the highest probability of presence. These areas are primarily concentrated within one of the Protected Natural Areas of the region, the Sierra La Laguna Biosphere Reserve, where key conservation areas were identified, including riparian habitat with suitable conditions for the cuckoo’s reproduction and migration. This study provides essential information for the conservation and management of riparian habitats in the region, which could help mitigate the threats facing this species.