We have extensively updated the bird checklists on our website to improve accuracy and provide more information than previously. Because the meaning of common terms often varies between tour operators, we provide definitions below. We also provide notes regarding species distribution and nomenclature that are needed to interpret our checklist information.
Endemic Found in a limited range within one country. Some authors will treat a species as endemic even if it's range encompasses a large portion of a single large country such as Brazil. We don't think that is a helpful or particularly informative expansion of a concept that typically implies a species is range restricted as well as found in only one country.
Near Endemic Found in a limited range within two countries. In some cases we expand the term to include a third country if it's located in a small area where 3 countries are adjacent. For example, we use the term "Near Endemic to refer for Guyana birds restricted to the Guianan Shield geological formation and the Tepui Highlands located at the confluence of Venezuela, Guyana, and northeastern Brazil (often called Tepui Endemics). Similarly, we apply the term to a few species found only in a small corner of Panama (Bocas del Toro), Costa Rica, and a tiny corner of Honduras. We don't use the term for species whose range extends into Suriname and French Guiana along with Brazil or even Venezuela unless it has a small range or is extremely rare in Venezuela or Brazil (often called Guianan Endemics). We also don't use the term for species restricted to the Amazon basin but have large ranges encompassing one or several countries, species that some refer to as Amazonian Endemics.
Local Species has a very patchy distribution within a large area, is found in multiple small, geographically separated locales, or is erratic within a restricted range.
Range restricted Species has a limited range in the country. This can mean different things in large and small countries. Limited range implies that the species is found in a small geographical area within the country, within narrow altitudinal band(s) along mountain ranges, or at the very edge of a larger range that is mainly in adjacent or other countries. In some cases a species is somewhat locally distributed within a restricted range, in which case we choose the designation that seems most descriptive.
Boreal Migrant Non-breeding visitor during boreal winter (Austral summer). May include transients passing through as well as individuals remaining throughout non-breeding season, in which case species is more common during spring and/or fall migration. A few (or many young non-breeding) birds may remain in summer. A few South American species that visit a country during boreal winter are also shown as "boreal" migrants (eg Lesson's Seedeater in Peru).
Austral Migrant Non-breeding visitor during austral winter, typically from from farther south (eg. from Argentina or other South American countries).
Transient Primarily a spring and/or fall migrant. A few birds may rarely over-winter. A few non-breeding birds may remain during breeding season.
Erratic Moves about erratically following food supply, breeding in different locales from one year to the next. Or, is irregularly and unpredictably present in the area.
Non-breeding Dispersal Disperses into area during non-breeding season. Includes altitudinal movements as well as other dispersals. Species not present during breeding season.
Breeding Season Only Species is present during breeding season only. Species migrates or disperses out of area during non-breeding season.
Very Rare/Casual/Vagrant A few records of wanderers. None to a few records per year may occur. Very rare resident birds are not included in this category.
Accidental One or two reliable records. Species not to be expected again. Some accidentals are old records that may represent species once rarely present but now extirpated.
