Ornithology Research

de Azevedo, Cristiano Schetini; Rodrigues, Lívia Soares Furtado; Fontenelle, Julio Cesar Rodrigues

2017 Ornithology Research

doi: 10.1007/bf03544370

Anti-predator behavior and personality have important consequences for the survival of captive-bred animals after reintroduction in the wild. The personality of an animal can be defined as low within-individual variation in behavior relative to between-individual variation in behavior. Mortality caused by predation is the main reason for reintroduction failure, and training captive-born animals to avoid predators can solve this problem. However, how anti-predator training affects the personality of animals is uncertain. The objective of this study was to test the behavioral responses of captive Amazon Parrots (Amazona aestiva, Psittacidae) submitted to an anti-predator conditioning protocol, and to evaluate if anti-predator training affects parrot personalities. Twenty-six parrots were trained against predators using taxidermized models; their personalities were evaluated by calculating boldness scores before and after anti-predator training sessions. Parrots increased the expression of anti-predator behaviors when tested with all models; control groups behaved in a more relaxed way. The anti-predator responses persisted for 60 days after the end of the training sessions. Boldness scores increased in 50% of cases after anti-predator training sessions, and in only 33% of cases did parrots become shyer after anti-predator training. The tendency of parrots to exhibit bold behaviors in the personality tests, even after the training sessions, may be explained by their early experiences, low behavioral plasticity or high cognitive ability. Training naive parrots was an effective tool to enhance behavioral responses against predators before reintroduction. The study of personality is of great importance in reintroduction and translocation programs to determine the position of each individual in the shy-bold continuum and to help select individuals more suited for reintroduction.

Beier, Christian; Repenning, Márcio; da Pereira, Maurício Silveira; Pereira, André; Fontana, Carla Suertegaray

2017 Ornithology Research

doi: 10.1007/bf03544371

We studied demography, territoriality and social/mate system of the Brazilian population of Yellow Cardinal (Gubernatrix cristata). The study was conducted in the municipality of Barra do Quaraí, western Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, during two breeding seasons (October to February, 2013-2015). We ringed 35 (seven females, 14 males and 14 young) out of 53 individuals found, and by September 2015, the Brazilian population of Yellow Cardinal had 38 remaining individuals. Adult sex ratio was 1.5:1 and the lifespan was at least 8 years. Pairs are socially monogamous and territorial, with male-biased philopatry and female-biased dispersal. The mean territory size was 18 ha, and mean home range was 27.7 ha. Some pairs and nests (23%) were attended by one or two nest helpers, which contributed on nest and territory defense, and provisioning of nestlings and fledglings. Presence of helpers is a key new finding for this species. Parental care was biparental or cooperative, and the pair had high frequency of visits to the nest than helpers. Mean nest productivity was two fledglings/successful nest attended by helpers, and one fledgling/successful nest not attended by helpers. We recorded second broods after a successful attempt, only when helpers were present. Overall Mayfield nesting success was 18%, 40% for nests with and 13% without helpers. We recorded a case of inbreeding, between father and daughter. The species need for large home ranges and factors that may adversely affect the breeding success such as inbreeding, predation, and parasitism can exacerbate the status of the threatened Brazilian population and the species. It reinforces the importance of autecology studies and their contribution to the conservation schemes.

Matthews, Alexander; Smith, Paul

2017 Ornithology Research

doi: 10.1007/bf03544372

Aside from evidence of the Buff-bellied Puffbird Notharchus swainsoni nesting in arboreal termitaria, no breeding data is available. Here we present 100 days of observation of an active nest of the species in eastern Paraguay. The nest was active from late September to early December, and the two clutches observed were of three and four white eggs. After the first clutch failed a second one was laid. The incubation period was between 14–21 days and the fledgling period 30 days. The nest structure was cavity/ with-inclined-tunnel/simple/unlined. Parent birds fed the chicks an insectivorous diet and fiercely defended the nest. This is the first detailed breeding data published for the species.

da Silva, Marcelo; Cardoso, Marcio Zikán; Pichorim, Mauro

2017 Ornithology Research

doi: 10.1007/bf03544373

The Pectoral Antwren (Herpsilochmus pectoralis) and Caatinga Antwren (H. sellowi) are thamnophilids endemic to northeastern Brazil. The Pectoral Antwren is considered an “Endangered” species by the IUCN. The present study aimed at providing data on the distribution, abundance, habitat, and conservation status of these species in Rio Grande do Norte state (RN), Brazil, in order to help define conservation strategies for the species. Thirty-three sites in the Atlantic Forest domain were sampled between November 2005 and March 2008, for a total sampling effort of 414 h. Observations took place mainly between 5:30 h and 12:00 h, and records were based on visual and/or auditory detections. Standardized censuses were conducted in four different phytophysiognomies to determine abundance and density. Herpsilochmus pectoralis was found in 73% (n = 24) of the sampled areas, mean density was estimated at 89.1 individuals.km2 and population size was approximately 13,921 individuals for the state. Available area of occupancy was 156.25 km2. Herpsilochmus sellowi was present in 39% (n = 13) of the areas, with mean density of 60.4 individuals.km2, estimated population of 7202 and area of occupancy of 119.25 km2. The population estimate found in this study for H pectoralis is high for a small geographical area, thus demonstrate that BirdLife International information is underestimated. These data widen knowledge of the species at local and national levels, in addition to confirming the importance of H. pectoralis in RN state. The low number of protected areas in the region is alarming, given that privately-owned areas face fragmentation, selective deforesting, burnings and significant real estate development.

Abilhoa, Vinícius; Amorin, Rafael

2017 Ornithology Research

doi: 10.1007/bf03544374

This paper compares the proportion of urban tolerant birds in the urban avian community and the amount of built-up areas, mostly impervious surface, as indicators of urbanization on patterns of bird species richness in a southern Brazilian city. From September to December 2013 (breeding season), bird surveys were conducted in 120 squares of 100 ha randomly select within Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. All bird species seen or heard during the sample timeframe were recorded. The extent of urban modification and disturbance was estimated directly from urban landscape data analyses through a geographic information system. Linear regressions were graphed and Spearman rank correlations were calculated to assess the relationship of overall species richness and the percentage of urban tolerant birds against the percentage of built-up areas as the predictor variable. Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric analyses of variance were performed to test if the total richness or the percentage of urban tolerant birds on the assemblages differed between categories of urbanization (low, intermediate and high). We recorded 102 bird species, including 13 urban tolerant species. As expected, urbanization significantly reduced species richness, but urban tolerant species were less affected to changes on land modifications associated to urban growth. The increase in representativeness of “urban-adaptable” species on the bird assemblages of intermediate and high-urbanized areas in Curitiba was probably favored by their broad environmental tolerance. Most urban tolerant species registered are ground foraging resident birds, use a diverse array of anthropogenic resources, and can be found occupying various types of habitat in several human-modified ecosystems.

Hosein, Aliya; Narang, Darshanjit Singh; Rostant, Luke; Hailey, Adrian

2017 Ornithology Research

doi: 10.1007/bf03544375

The largest remaining savanna ecosystem on the island of Trinidad is the Aripo Savannas Environmentally Sensitive Area (ASESA). It has been historically fragmented due to a number of anthropogenic activities. This study focused on the densities of the Red-bellied Macaw (Orthopsittaca manilatd) and Orange-winged Parrot (Amazona amazonica), which are known to rely on palms for roosting, nesting and feeding at the ASESA, in relation to the distribution of the fruiting Moriche Palms (Mauritia flexuosa) at the ASESA. There was a significant correlation between the total number of birds and number of fruiting Moriche Palms on transects for macaws (rs = 0.708, P = 0.022) but not for parrots (rs = 0.421, P = 0.225). Average group size increased significantly from the late rainy to the early dry season in macaws, but not in parrots. Point count surveys estimated higher densities than line transects for both macaws (129 vs. 87/km2) and parrots (193 vs. 103/km2). The use of peripheral areas showed that fragmentation had no effect on the foraging behavior of macaws or parrots. Nevertheless, if the savannas become increasingly modified, human-parrot conflicts may increase and so food resources should be integrated into management plans for this protected area.

de Lima, Ana Luísa Carvalho; Manhães, Marco Antônio

2017 Ornithology Research

doi: 10.1007/bf03544376

Seasonal variation of understory insectivorous birds and arthropods was investigated in an area of secondary Atlantic Forest, in southeast Brazil. Birds were captured with mist-nets and arthropods collected on the ground and foliage. A total of 348 captures of 243 individuais belonging to 15 bird species were obtained. Among 3416 arthropods, 1782 were collected on the ground and 1634 on the foliage. There was no significant variation in numbers of captures, individuais and bird species between dry and rainy seasons. However, arthropods were more abundant on the foliage during the dry season and on the ground in the rainy season. In this way, although the number of arthropods varied between seasons, it seems to be a sufficient resource to insectivorous birds feeding along the year. Besides, these birds can present some plasticity, changing the frequency of their foraging tactics repertoire in search of this feeding resource.

Maldonado-Coelho, Marcos; Marini, Miguel Ângelo; do Amaral, Fábio Raposo; Ribon, Rômulo

2017 Ornithology Research

doi: 10.1007/bf03544377

Evidence of checkerboard patterns of species’ distribution in avian mixed-species flocks suggest that competition is one of the forces shaping the composition and structure of these associations. However, evidence of competition among flock species comes from studies performed in well-preserved regions and no study has reported the interactions between invasive and native flocking species in human-modified landscapes. Such studies are important because evidence show that avian social systems such as mixed-species flocks suffer several negative impacts of habitat fragmentation. In this study, it is shown that an invasive woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes angustirostris) from open areas of central and western South America is: 1) expanding its range into that of a native Atlantic Forest woodcreeper (L. squamatus); 2) using the same forest fragments in which the native woodcreeper occurs; 3) regularly joining Atlantic Forest mixed-species flocks that contain the native woodcreeper; 4) overlapping in foraging height with the native woodcreeper during flocking; and 5) engaging in aggressive encounters and excluding the native woodcreeper from flocks. We suggest that this aggressive behavior is a consequence of the overlap in foraging height between the invasive and native species in their original habitats and that their contact has so recently been established. This study suggests that competitive interactions mediated by aggressive behaviors of invasive species may have a negative impact on the fitness of native mixed-species flock species in a fragmented landscape.

Luna, Leilton Willians; Souza, Thainara Oliveira; de Silva, Weber Andrade Girão e; Schneider, Horacio; Sampaio, Iracilda; Araripe, Juliana; do Rêgo, Péricles Sena

2017 Ornithology Research

doi: 10.1007/bf03544378

The Araripe Manakin (Antilophia bokermanni) is a “Critically Endangered” bird species endemic to northeastern Brazil. The habitat of the species has suffered intense fragmentation and degradation in recent years, resulting in a decline in population numbers. The present study evaluated the genetic diversity and structure of this population through the analysis of the Hypervariable Domain I of the mitochondrial Control Region and two nuclear introns (I7BF and G3PDH). Results revealed an absence of population substructuring and population decline beginning during the late Pleistocene, approximately 50,000 years ago. The evidence indicates that the effective population size of the Araripe Manakin has declined gradually over time ever since, a process that may have been intensified as a result of the recent anthropogenic impacts on the habitat of the species.

Sazima, Ivan; Hipolito, Juliana Vaz

2017 Ornithology Research

doi: 10.1007/bf03544379

Doves are preyed on by a variety of vertebrate predators including mammals, birds, and snakes. In urban areas the predator diversity is restricted to a few species, and hawks are the commonest dove predators there. Herein we report events of predation on the Eared Dove (Zenaida auricuhitd) and the Picazuro Pigeon (Patagioenas picazuro) by two accipitrid raptors, the Roadside Hawk (Rupornis magnirostris) and the Plumbeous Kite (Ictinia plumbea), a falconid, the Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis), besides a dipsadid snake, the Eastern Green Whiptail (Philodryas olfersii), at an urban park. The doves were hunted mostly during their fledgling stages. The Plumbeous Kite hunted Eared Doves only during its breeding season to feed the offspring, whereas the Roadside Hawk preyed both on Eared Doves and the Picazuro Pigeon also during its non-breeding period. The Aplomado Falcon preyed on an adult Picazuro Pigeon, whereas the Eastern Whip Snake preyed on a nestling Eared Dove. The Roadside Hawk was the main predator of the Eared Dove in the studied park, and probably would prove to be an important predator of this and additional dove species at other urban areas.

de Dantas, Sidnei Melo; de Miranda, Leonardo Sousa; Ravetta, André Luis; Aleixo, Alexandre

2017 Ornithology Research

doi: 10.1007/bf03544380

We report on a recently discovered population of the White Bellbird (Procnias albus) in southern Amazonia. Contrary to expectations based on geography and morphological analyses, a recently collected specimen from this new population is genetically closer to the northern subspecies, at the same time that it confirms the overall lack of genetic structure previously reported for the species. Our data reinforces the notion that the subspecies of P. albus may not be diagnosable by morphological and molecular characters. The discovery of a new Procnias albus population not far from the largest human settlement in Brazilian Amazonia underscores the need for more research to better understand avian distribution in this under-studied region.