- Most representative animals of the Fauna of Lima
- Marine fauna
- Birds
- Mammals
- Reptiles
- River fauna
- References
The fauna of Lima is diverse both inside and outside the city; It is made up of marine and continental, land and river species.
Due to its geographical location, in Lima nature is typical of the Peruvian coast, mostly arid, but washed by the rivers that descend from the western Andes.
Gallinazo in the Quinta Heeren of Lima
Such a combination forms humid valleys that serve as a habitat for the animal species that live in its territory. Lima has the Lachay National Reserve and the Pantanos de Villa reserved area.
These are protected natural spaces with the intention of preserving the plant and animal species that live there, many of which are in danger of extinction.
Most representative animals of the Fauna of Lima
Marine fauna
It is very rich and of great importance for the economy and subsistence of the population.
The main species are corvina, sole, bonito, tuna, anchovy, crustaceans and cetaceans such as dolphins.
Birds
Lima's continental fauna is characterized by a wide variety of bird species, not in vain Peru is the second country with the highest diversity of these species worldwide.
The buzzards stood out for a long time.
These carrion birds flooded the streets of Lima during the 19th century, as they were attracted by the waste deposited in the deficient drainage systems of the city.
The most common is the black-headed, a bird of approximately 65 centimeters, black in color, with a bare and wrinkled head, light gray legs and a curved beak.
Other species of birds that enrich Lima's fauna vary from sparrows, goldfinches and hummingbirds, to exuberant bell-toed owls, wood-winged muskets and cinnamon-colored hawks.
In Lima parks such as Olivar de San Isidro, Parque Castilla or San Borja y Surco, it is possible to observe cuculí pigeons, yellow-billed lovebirds and long-eared doves.
The presence of swifts, parrots, parakeets, hummingbirds, ticks, tyrants, flytraps, swallows, calandrias, seedbeds, cockroaches, jumpers and thrushes is also notorious.
Among so much variety, the most striking species for their color are:
- The turtupilín: with a fiery red chest.
- The blue tanager: intense blue color.
- The gold button: so called for its fiery yellow hue.
Some parks and public areas of Lima present the overpopulation of domestic pigeons as a problem.
This is due to the fact that flocks destroy public ornaments and are a source of transmission of zoonotic diseases.
On the other hand, a species that can only be seen in passing is the elegant gull, it breeds in the northern hemisphere and only goes to the coast during the summer.
The booby of the Peruvian coast owes its name to the fact that it swoops down to fish for food. This bird is gregarious and nests on rocky shores of islets.
Previously, it was common to see pelicans in herds on the coasts of Chorrillos or Ancón. This spectacle no longer occurs, because a good part of the population was dedicated to hunting these seabirds for the consumption of their meat.
Mammals
Mucas, foxes and especially in the territory of the Lachay National Reserve, deer and vizcachas are counted.
Reptiles
Of the reptiles, the most common are lizards, water snakes, and vipers.
River fauna
In the rivers of the high parts of Lima it is possible to find catfish, tilapia and mullet.
References
- Flora and Fauna of Lima. (sf). Retrieved on November 20, 2017 from: iperu.org.
- Lime. (November 6, 2017). In: es.wikipedia.org.
- Lima - Flora and Fauna. Retrieved on November 20, 2017 from: peru-info.net.
- Ministry of the Environment. (October 2015). Wild Fauna Inventory Guide. In: minam.gob.pe.
- Orrego, Juan. (June 23, 2011). Notes on Fauna in Lima. In: blog.pucp.edu.pe.