Altitudinal distribution of birds in a mountainous region in southeastern Brazil

We studied the altitudinal distribution of 426 bird species in the Serra dos Órgãos, a mountainous region in southeastern Brazil. Thirty-four localities were visited between 1991 and 2009. Our study revealed a decline in bird species richness with elevation, although a smaller number of species was recorded at lower altitudes (below 300 m) possibly due to local extinctions caused by the intense human occupation of the region. A less diverse avifauna was found above 2,000 m, with only one species (Caprimulgus longirostris) recorded exclusively in this altitudinal range. Most endemic species were found between 300 and 1,200 m, but the endemism was more significant at higher altitudes. Nearly half of the birds found above 1,400 m were endemic species. Most of the threatened species from the state of Rio de Janeiro recorded in our study were found below 1,200 m, but no significant difference was found between the proportions of threatened species among different altitudinal ranges. Species of seventeen genera have exhibited some replacement (sometimes with partial overlap) along altitudinal gradients.

Aves explorando flores de Erythrina fusca (Leguminosae, Fabaceae) durante a estação seca no Pantanal de Mato Grosso

Recent studies reported the importance of flowers in the diet of many Neotropical bird species. In this paper we identify and describe the feeding behaviour of bird species that feed on flower resources of Erythrina fusca (Fabaceae) in the Pantanal Mato-Grossense, Brazil. We recorded birds foraging in 14 flowered individuals of E. fusca during 25 hours of observation. We recorded 20 bird species belonging to seven families feeding on the flowers. Several of the observed behaviours were destructive, despite some species, especially the Trochilidae and Icteridae, showed feeding strategies that preserve the integrity of the flowers and are compatible with pollen transportation. The comparison of the data gathered in this study with the available literature indicates that the Icteridae may play an important role in pollination of this tree species.

Estudos recentes têm evidenciado a importância de flores como recurso alimentar de diversas espécies de aves neotropicais. Este estudo teve o objetivo de listar espécies e descrever o comportamento das aves que se alimentaram de recursos florais de Erythrina fusca (Fabaceae) no Pantanal Mato-Grossense. Para isso, foram acompanhadas aves que se alimentaram em 14 árvores floridas dessa espécie em um total de cerca de 25 horas de observação. Como resultados, 20 espécies de aves pertencentes a sete famílias taxonômicas foram observadas alimentando-se de recursos florais de E. fusca. Apesar de várias espécies de aves terem apresentado comportamentos destrutivos em maior proporção, algumas espécies, sobretudo das famílias Trochilidae e Icteridae, apresentaram estratégias alimentares compatíveis com o transporte de pólen. O cruzamento dos dados obtidos neste estudo com os da literatura indicam que a família Icteridae pode ter relevante papel na polinização dessa espécie vegetal.

Altitudinal distribution of birds in a mountainous region in southeastern Brazil

We studied the altitudinal distribution of 426 bird species in the Serra dos Órgãos, a mountainous region in southeastern Brazil. Thirty-four localities were visited between 1991 and 2009. Our study revealed a decline in bird species richness with elevation, although a smaller number of species was recorded at lower altitudes (below 300 m) possibly due to local extinctions caused by the intense human occupation of the region. A less diverse avifauna was found above 2,000 m, with only one species (Caprimulgus longirostris) recorded exclusively in this altitudinal range. Most endemic species were found between 300 and 1,200 m, but the endemism was more significant at higher altitudes. Nearly half of the birds found above 1,400 m were endemic species. Most of the threatened species from the state of Rio de Janeiro recorded in our study were found below 1,200 m, but no significant difference was found between the proportions of threatened species among different altitudinal ranges. Species of seventeen genera have exhibited some replacement (sometimes with partial overlap) along altitudinal gradients.

Altitudinal distribution of birds in a mountainous region in southeastern Brazil

We studied the altitudinal distribution of 426 bird species in the Serra dos Órgãos, a mountainous region in southeastern Brazil. Thirty-four localities were visited between 1991 and 2009. Our study revealed a decline in bird species richness with elevation, although a smaller number of species was recorded at lower altitudes (below 300 m) possibly due to local extinctions caused by the intense human occupation of the region. A less diverse avifauna was found above 2,000 m, with only one species (Caprimulgus longirostris) recorded exclusively in this altitudinal range. Most endemic species were found between 300 and 1,200 m, but the endemism was more significant at higher altitudes. Nearly half of the birds found above 1,400 m were endemic species. Most of the threatened species from the state of Rio de Janeiro recorded in our study were found below 1,200 m, but no significant difference was found between the proportions of threatened species among different altitudinal ranges. Species of seventeen genera have exhibited some replacement (sometimes with partial overlap) along altitudinal gradients.

Aves explorando flores de Erythrina fusca (Leguminosae, Fabaceae) durante a estação seca no Pantanal de Mato Grosso

Recent studies reported the importance of flowers in the diet of many Neotropical bird species. In this paper we identify and describe the feeding behaviour of bird species that feed on flower resources of Erythrina fusca (Fabaceae) in the Pantanal Mato-Grossense, Brazil. We recorded birds foraging in 14 flowered individuals of E. fusca during 25 hours of observation. We recorded 20 bird species belonging to seven families feeding on the flowers. Several of the observed behaviours were destructive, despite some species, especially the Trochilidae and Icteridae, showed feeding strategies that preserve the integrity of the flowers and are compatible with pollen transportation. The comparison of the data gathered in this study with the available literature indicates that the Icteridae may play an important role in pollination of this tree species.

Estudos recentes têm evidenciado a importância de flores como recurso alimentar de diversas espécies de aves neotropicais. Este estudo teve o objetivo de listar espécies e descrever o comportamento das aves que se alimentaram de recursos florais de Erythrina fusca (Fabaceae) no Pantanal Mato-Grossense. Para isso, foram acompanhadas aves que se alimentaram em 14 árvores floridas dessa espécie em um total de cerca de 25 horas de observação. Como resultados, 20 espécies de aves pertencentes a sete famílias taxonômicas foram observadas alimentando-se de recursos florais de E. fusca. Apesar de várias espécies de aves terem apresentado comportamentos destrutivos em maior proporção, algumas espécies, sobretudo das famílias Trochilidae e Icteridae, apresentaram estratégias alimentares compatíveis com o transporte de pólen. O cruzamento dos dados obtidos neste estudo com os da literatura indicam que a família Icteridae pode ter relevante papel na polinização dessa espécie vegetal.

Associação entre aves e flores de duas espécies de árvores do gênero Erythrina (Fabaceae) na Mata Atlântica do sudeste do Brasil

Flowers are considered important resources in the diet of birds during the dry season. We studied the interaction between birds and two species of the trees of genus Erythrina (E. falcata and E. verna) at four localities in the state of Rio de Janeiro: Serra dos Órgãos, Serra da Mantiqueira, Vale do Paraíba, and the southern coastal area (Costa Verde). Sampling was during the dry season. The purpose of this study was to identify the bird species recorded visiting these Leguminosae species and to describe their feeding behavior. A total of 27 bird species were recorded feeding on nectar and 16 were recorded catching arthropods attracted by the flowers. Some strategies used by birds to exploit nectar are described. The presence of so many species and the time spent by them on the trees corroborate the importance of nectar consumption and flowers to the bird community during the dry season. The importance of bird species on pollination is also discussed.

Flores são consideradas um importante recurso na alimentação de aves em épocas secas. A interação entre aves e árvores do gênero Erythrina (E. falcata e E. verna) foi estudada em quatro regiões do Estado do Rio de Janeiro: Serra dos Órgãos, Serra da Mantiqueira, Vale do Paraíba e região litorânea da Costa Verde. A amostragem foi realizada na época mais seca do ano. Objetivou-se listar as espécies de aves que utilizam recursos florais e descrever os comportamentos associados. Ao todo, 27 espécies de aves foram observadas alimentando-se de néctar ou outros recursos florais e 16 apenas predando artrópodes atraídos pelas flores. A presença de um número elevado de espécies e o tempo despendido por elas nas árvores corroboram a relevância do néctar e das florações como recursos alimentares para a comunidade de aves na época mais seca do ano. É discutido também o papel exercido pelas aves na polinização.

Associação entre aves e flores de duas espécies de árvores do gênero Erythrina (Fabaceae) na Mata Atlântica do sudeste do Brasil

Flowers are considered important resources in the diet of birds during the dry season. We studied the interaction between birds and two species of the trees of genus Erythrina (E. falcata and E. verna) at four localities in the state of Rio de Janeiro: Serra dos Órgãos, Serra da Mantiqueira, Vale do Paraíba, and the southern coastal area (Costa Verde). Sampling was during the dry season. The purpose of this study was to identify the bird species recorded visiting these Leguminosae species and to describe their feeding behavior. A total of 27 bird species were recorded feeding on nectar and 16 were recorded catching arthropods attracted by the flowers. Some strategies used by birds to exploit nectar are described. The presence of so many species and the time spent by them on the trees corroborate the importance of nectar consumption and flowers to the bird community during the dry season. The importance of bird species on pollination is also discussed.

Flores são consideradas um importante recurso na alimentação de aves em épocas secas. A interação entre aves e árvores do gênero Erythrina (E. falcata e E. verna) foi estudada em quatro regiões do Estado do Rio de Janeiro: Serra dos Órgãos, Serra da Mantiqueira, Vale do Paraíba e região litorânea da Costa Verde. A amostragem foi realizada na época mais seca do ano. Objetivou-se listar as espécies de aves que utilizam recursos florais e descrever os comportamentos associados. Ao todo, 27 espécies de aves foram observadas alimentando-se de néctar ou outros recursos florais e 16 apenas predando artrópodes atraídos pelas flores. A presença de um número elevado de espécies e o tempo despendido por elas nas árvores corroboram a relevância do néctar e das florações como recursos alimentares para a comunidade de aves na época mais seca do ano. É discutido também o papel exercido pelas aves na polinização.