Use of anvils by the Great Kiskadee (Aves, Tyrannidae): a description based on citizen science data.

The use of anvils to strike prey is a behavior observed in some species of birds around the world. Here, I investigated the use of anvils by the Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus). The study was carried out through the analysis of citizen science photographs and comments made by the authors of these records. In the 365 records analyzed, vertebrates were the predominant prey (n = 213; 58.35%) and Hemidactylus mabouia was the most frequent species. Tree branches were the most used anvil category (n = 199; 54.52%), and in 12.87% of the photographic records the authors described in their comments the behavior of the bird beating the prey before feeding on it. The use of anvils allows birds to strike down different types of prey and expand their food niche. It, thus, favors the establishment of their populations. However, these relationships still require further investigation. By the observation and registration of birds in natural environments, citizen science has become an important research tool for ornithologists.

Nasal mites of Tyrannidae (Aves) in Brazil / Ácaros nasais de Tyrannidae (Aves) no Brasil

A total of 81 Tyraniidae birds were examined, 80 Pitangus sulphuratus (Linnaeus, 1766) (Great kiscadee), and one Machetornis rixosa (Vieilot, 1819) (Cattle tyrant), for collection of nasal mites, which were identified as Ptilonyssus spinosus (Brooks & Strandtmann, 1960) and Sternostoma longisetosae (Hyland, 1961) (Rhinonyssidae). This finding characterises the first report of P. spinosus and S. longisetosae in P. sulphuratus, and the first record of P. spinosus in M. rixosa, and expands the geographic distribution of these species. It is the first occurrence of S. longisetosae in the Neotropics, and the first citation of P. spinosus in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.(AU)

Foram examinadas 81 aves Tyraniidae, 80 Pitangus sulphuratus (Linnaeus, 1766) (Bem-te-vi) e um Machetornis rixosa (Vieilot, 1819) (Suiriri-cavaleiro) para coleta de ácaros nasais, os quais foram identificados como Ptilonyssus spinosus (Brooks & Strandtmann, 1960) e Sternostoma longisetosae (Hyland, 1961) (Rhinonyssidae). Este achado caracteriza o primeiro relato de P. spinosus e S. longisetosae em P. sulphuratus e o primeiro registro de P. spinosus em M. rixosa, e amplia a distribuição geográfica destas espécies, sendo a primeira ocorrência de S. longisetosae na região neotropical e primeira citação de P. spinosus no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.(AU)

Nasal mites of Tyrannidae (Aves) in Brazil / Ácaros nasais de Tyrannidae (Aves) no Brasil

A total of 81 Tyraniidae birds were examined, 80 Pitangus sulphuratus (Linnaeus, 1766) (Great kiscadee), and one Machetornis rixosa (Vieilot, 1819) (Cattle tyrant), for collection of nasal mites, which were identified as Ptilonyssus spinosus (Brooks & Strandtmann, 1960) and Sternostoma longisetosae (Hyland, 1961) (Rhinonyssidae). This finding characterises the first report of P. spinosus and S. longisetosae in P. sulphuratus, and the first record of P. spinosus in M. rixosa, and expands the geographic distribution of these species. It is the first occurrence of S. longisetosae in the Neotropics, and the first citation of P. spinosus in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Foram examinadas 81 aves Tyraniidae, 80 Pitangus sulphuratus (Linnaeus, 1766) (Bem-te-vi) e um Machetornis rixosa (Vieilot, 1819) (Suiriri-cavaleiro) para coleta de ácaros nasais, os quais foram identificados como Ptilonyssus spinosus (Brooks & Strandtmann, 1960) e Sternostoma longisetosae (Hyland, 1961) (Rhinonyssidae). Este achado caracteriza o primeiro relato de P. spinosus e S. longisetosae em P. sulphuratus e o primeiro registro de P. spinosus em M. rixosa, e amplia a distribuição geográfica destas espécies, sendo a primeira ocorrência de S. longisetosae na região neotropical e primeira citação de P. spinosus no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.

Sweet trap: Boa constrictor (Serpentes: Boidae) preying on passerines on Cecropia pachystachya (Urticales: Cecropiaceae) in fruiting period / Doce armadilha: Boa constrictor (Serpentes: Boidae) predando passeriformes sobre Cecropia pachystachya (Urticales: Cecropiaceae) em período de frutificação

Fruits of trumpet tree (Cecropia spp.) attract different species of birds and mammals. Boas (Boa constrictor) are sit-and-wait strategists, able to choose to ambush in microhabitats that are frequently visited by prey. We have seen two events of predation of passerines (Pitangus sulphuratus, Turdus rufiventris) by boas on the same trumpet tree (Cecropia pachystachya) in a remnant of Cerrado, in the city of Campo Grande/MS. These reports may be evidence of strategic association of boas to trumpet trees, considering the density of snakes recorded on the tree and the constant visits by potential prey during fruiting periods. Besides encouraging a more detailed investigation on the strategies of predation by boas, our records constitute relevant information about the snake natural history.

Frutos de embaúba (Cecropia spp.) atraem diversas espécies de aves e mamíferos. Jiboias (Boa constrictor) são estrategistas senta-espera, capazes de selecionar micro-habitats que são frequentemente visitados por presas. Nós presenciamos dois eventos de predação de passeriformes (Pitangus sulphuratus, Turdus rufiventris) por jiboias sobre uma mesma embaúba (Cecropia pachystachya) em um remanescente de Cerrado, localizado na cidade de Campo Grande/MS. Esses relatos podem ser indícios de associações estratégicas das jiboias ès embaúbas, considerando a densidade de serpentes na árvore e a constante visitação de presas potenciais durante os períodos de frutificação. Além de estimular uma investigação mais detalhada sobre as estratégias de predação das jiboias, esses registros constituem informações relevantes sobre sua história natural.