Avifauna composition in a forest remnant along the Chapecozinho river, southern Brazil

Abstract

Forest fragmentation is the main process of destruction of the Atlantic Forest that creates heterogeneous environments that affect the structure and stability of ecological communities. The present study aimed to characterize the bird communityin a riparian forest remnant along the Chapecozinho river, in southern Brazil, between 2006 and 2009. The birds were analyzed for their predominant diet, preferential habitat, frequency of occurrence and relative abundance. One hundred and five species of birds were recorded. The seasons with highest species richness were spring 2007 and winter 2008. The more representative trophic categories were insectivorous (n=44), omnivorous (n=29) and frugivorous (n=10). Most species were classified as forest birds (n=48). The results showed that the forest remnant may be suffering fromanthropogenic pressures because: (1) seasonal patterns were not verified; (2) generalists and species from open areas were more dominant, such as Guira guia (RA=2,81%), Pyrrhura frontalis (RA=2,66%) and Theristicus caudatus (RA=2,51%). The significant number of omnivores in the area of study corroborates other studies in the region, suggesting that the area suffered environmental changes.