Avian diversity in five fragments of Atlantic Rainforest at Usina São José, Igarassu, Northern Pernambuco State, Brazil

Abstract

In northeastern Brazil, most well-preserved Atlantic Rainforest fragments are situated within privately-owned lands or sugarcane properties, mainly in the states of Alagoas and Pernambuco. On the lands of São José Sugar Mill (USJ), in Igarassu (Pernambuco), there are 106 forest patches totaling 6,660ha, surrounded by sugarcane fields. The main goal of this study was to determine the species richness in five forest remnants within the USJ property. We completed 77 hours of observation and recording of bird voices, using binoculars and a tape recorder with a unidirectional microphone. A total of 184 bird species were registered, among which 15 were under risk of extinction, (e.g.) Cercomacra laeta sabinoi, Pyriglena leuconota pernambucensis and Myrmeciza rufi cauda soror. Some species that were observed and collected in the same region in the 1940s, such as Ramphastos vitellinus, Pteroglossus aracari and Lipaugus vociferans, were not registered during the study period.

Keywords

• birds
• Pernambuco
• Atlantic Forest
• fragmentation
• sugarcane
• sugar mill