Table 1
My initial off the cuff estimate of 672 species was based on the total number of code 1 and 2 birds in the ABA area checklist. However, upon closer inspection, I came to the realization that several code 1 (Table 1) and code 2 (Table 2) birds do not breed in the area based on their range maps.
Table 3
Among the 83 code 3 birds, 14 were identified as species breeding regularly in the ABA area (Table 3). Some code 3 birds that are thought to breed in small numbers in the area weren't included such as the Ivory Gull, Red-throated Pipit, Clay-colored Thrush, Buff-collared Nightjar and the Black-capped Gnatcatcher. Their respective ranges may change by the next edition of the Nat Geo Guide.
Table 4
I could not identify code 4/5 species that breed regularly in the ABA area (Table 4). However, because of recent changes in the countability of native reintroduced species we can now add Aplomado Falcon (code 3) and California Condor (code 6) to the list of breeding birds in the ABA area.
I should mention that the number of ABA-area breeding species will change periodically, current species could (1) split or merge as new DNA information becomes available (ie. 2016 Western Scrub-Jay split), (2) breeding ranges could expand or contract over time and (3) introduced exotic species could be added to the list or delisted (ie. Budgerigar delisted in 2016) if they are extirpated from the ABA area.
Any feedback on my approach to counting species that breed regularly in the ABA area is appreciated.
