The rarest of the rare: rediscovery and status of the critically endangered Belem Curassow, Crax fasciolata pinima (Pelzeln, 1870)

The Belem Curassow (Crax fasciolata pinima) is one of the most endangered birds in South America, without sightings of birds in the wild for 40 years. This subspecies is nationally and internationally classified as critically endangered and close to extinction, suffering from poaching and deforestation in its range. Here we present new records of free-living individuals made on three indigenous lands in Pará and Maranhão states: in part of Terra Indígena Mãe Maria, Bom Jesus do Tocantins, Pará; in locations within the Reserva Biológica do Gurupi/Terra Indígena Alto Turiaçu, Centro Novo do Maranhão, Maranhão; and around the Terra Indígena Rio Pindaré, Alto Alegre do Pindaré, Maranhão. We also provide recommendations to protect this bird via a dedicated conservation program which includes finding new individuals in non-sampled areas (north of BR-222), estimating population size, enhancing taxonomic and natural history knowledge, capturing wild animals in order to start urgent ex situ conservation programs, and developing environmental awareness programs with the local and indigenous populations.(AU)

The rarest of the rare: rediscovery and status of the critically endangered Belem Curassow, Crax fasciolata pinima (Pelzeln, 1870)

The Belem Curassow (Crax fasciolata pinima) is one of the most endangered birds in South America, without sightings of birds in the wild for 40 years. This subspecies is nationally and internationally classified as critically endangered and close to extinction, suffering from poaching and deforestation in its range. Here we present new records of free-living individuals made on three indigenous lands in Pará and Maranhão states: in part of Terra Indígena Mãe Maria, Bom Jesus do Tocantins, Pará; in locations within the Reserva Biológica do Gurupi/Terra Indígena Alto Turiaçu, Centro Novo do Maranhão, Maranhão; and around the Terra Indígena Rio Pindaré, Alto Alegre do Pindaré, Maranhão. We also provide recommendations to protect this bird via a dedicated conservation program which includes finding new individuals in non-sampled areas (north of BR-222), estimating population size, enhancing taxonomic and natural history knowledge, capturing wild animals in order to start urgent ex situ conservation programs, and developing environmental awareness programs with the local and indigenous populations.

Levantamento preliminar da avifauna na Reserva Ecológica do Panga (Uberlândia, MG, Brasil) / Bird survey in the Panga Ecological Researve (Uberlândia, State od Minas Gerais, Brazil)

A Reserva Ecológica Panga é uma das principais unidades de conservação de Cerrado da região do Triângulo Mineiro/Alto Paranaíba, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Neste estudo determinou-se a riqueza e avaliou-se a composição da avifauna nas diferentes fitofisionomias da reserva. Foram realizadas treze campanhas percorrendo-se trilhas existentes na reserva (entre abril de 2006 e junho de 2008), totalizando 216 horas. As observações foram iniciadas logo após o nascer do sol e finalizadas quatro horas após. Também foram realizados sete dias de capturas com redes de neblina, utilizando-se anilhas cedidas pelo CEMAVE/IBAMA. Foram registradas 231 espécies de aves, distribuídas em 21 ordens, 51 famílias e 184 gêneros. As ordens mais representativas foram Passeriformes (127 espécies, 54,98%) e Falconiformes (16 spp; 6,93%). A família Tyrannidae apresentou o maior número de espécies (39; 16,88%). As dietas predominantes foram: insetívora (84 spp; 36,36%) e onívora (67; 29,00%). Foram registradas nove espécies endêmicas do Bioma Cerrado: Alipiopsitta xanthops, Melanopareia torquata, Herpsilochmus longirostris, Hylocryptus rectirostris, Antilophia galeata, Cyanocorax cristatellus, Neothraupis fasciata, Basileuterus leucophrys e Saltator atricollis. Houve um aumento significativo da riqueza da avifauna na área estudada. Contudo, enfatizamos a baixa representatividade de nectarívoros, frugívoros e carnívoros entre as aves observadas, uma vez que esses grupos incluem as espécies mais sensíveis às mudanças ambientais.

The Panga Ecological Reserve is one of most important unit of conservation of Cerrado in the Triângulo Mineiro/Alto Paraníba region, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Different physiognomies were investigated (forest, savanna, campaign and vereda) during thirteen field campaigns, totaling nine days (216 hours), from april 2006 to june 2008. The species were registered during walks along the existent trails. The observations initiated soon after the sunrise and were concluded four hours later. Captures were done during seven days as a complementary tool, using mistnets. A total of 231 bird species were observed, distributed in 21 orders, 51 families and 184 genders. Passeriformes and Falconiformes were the most representative orders (127 species, 54.98% and 16, 6.93%, respectively). Tyrannidae was the family with the largest number of species (39, 16.88%). The most common diets were insectivorous (84 species, 36.36%) and omnivorous (67, 29.00%). Nine endemic species of Cerrado were registered: Alipiopsitta xanthops, Melanopareia torquata, Herpsilochmus longirostris, Hylocryptus rectirostris, Antilophia galeata, Cyanocorax cristatellus, Neothraupis fasciata, Basileuterus leucophrys e Saltator atricollis. There was a sensitive increase of the avifauna richness in the studied area. Although, we emphasize the low representativeness of nectarivorous, frugivorous and carnivorous species, since these groups include the more sensitive birds to the environmental changes.