Abstract:

Based on published literatures, museum records, and field investigation records, we collected 2,410 records of raptor distribution data, to study the diversity patterns and migration routes of raptors in Sichuan Province. There were 56 species of raptors (76 species and subspecies) recorded in Sichuan. Forty-one species are from 3 families of Falconiformes, accounting for 64.06% of nationwide Falconiformes species, and fifteen species are from 2 families of Strigiformes, accounting for 48.39% of nationwide Strigiformes species. Five key species of raptors are first-class national protected animals. Raptors have a heterogeneous horizontal distribution pattern in Sichuan, as generally the raptors are richer in the western areas than the eastern areas. The county with the greatest species richness (up to 32) was Pingwu County. Species richness peaked at 1,000-3,500 m on an elevational gradient. Nineteen species of raptors have migratory habits in Sichuan while Jintang County has the greatest number of migration raptors. There are three main migration flyways of raptors in Sichuan. The first one belongs to the Central Asia Migration Flyway passing through the Shiqu and Dege County in the north-west region of Sichuan Province. The second flyway passes through the mountains on western side of the Sichuan Basin from Minshan, Qionglai and Liangshan mountains to Yunnan Province even to Burma. The third flyway passes from the Minshan Mountains to Jintang County and Nanchong Plain and finally reaches Chongqing and Guizhou Province. The latter two flyways belong to the East Asia-Australian Migration Flyway. This study provides a valuable reference for studying and protecting raptors as well as improves our understanding regarding the migration routes of raptors in Sichuan.

Key words: Sichuan, raptors, distribution pattern, migration flyway, biodiversity, birds