Ecological restoration encourages management for the complexity and heterogeneity of habitats, which are crucial for avian fauna structure. Two-year-old bird assemblages were evaluated based on diversity parameters of three different ecological restoration technologies applied in southern Brazil: passive restoration (PR), nucleation (NC) and high diversity plantation (HD). Richness, abundance and diversity were compared using ANOVA factorial design (three treatments × four seasons, with six samplings per season). The highest richness was observed for NC (49 ± 2.45 SD species) and the lowest richness occurred in the HD treatment (37 ± 3.14 SD species), with a similar statistical pattern for abundance and diversity (NC>PR>HD). NC responded favorably to the hypotheses of dynamic equilibrium, heterogeneity and habitat complexity, which are the probable mechanisms that influence primarily assemblage richness. Due to the presence of exclusive species for each treatment, we recommend the application of a mix of the different techniques tested to maximize the number of habitats and their interactions with birdlife.

Seasonal segregation among syntopic species can be viewed as one of the available strategies for coexistence, reducing competitive process. The present work therefore aimed to interpret the assemblage structures comprising birds of the genus Turdus (Turdidae), through the analysis of seasonal variation in the species occurrence in a forest remnant located in the southcenter State of Paraná. Mist-netting was employed twice a month for capturing birds, totalling an annual effort of 7488 h.m². The frequency of occurrence, constancy and class of species dominance was determined, together with the parameters generally used in studies of ecological communities (richness, abundance, diversity and evenness). A total of 162 individuals were captured, representing five species. Turdus rufiventris was the most constant and frequent species. Turdus amaurochalinus and Turdus leucomelas were captured with variable constancies and frequencies along the seasons. Turdus amaurochalinus was also very common and may present an overlapping process between migrant and non-migrant individuals during spring. Turdus albicolis was considered accessory, whereas Turdus subalaris was only registered during the reproductive period. Hence, it was possible to observe that seasonal modifications occurred both in the frequency of occurrence and in the constancy and dominance of species. These results indicated the possibility of a lower use of the environment during the breeding season, as well as the presence of a higher number of individuals in summer and increased abundance of Turdus rufiventris and T. leucomelas during autumn and winter.

Artificial perches are used in tropical forest restoration projects to increase the dispersal of seeds into restored areas. The ability of perches to enhance seed deposition depends on their ability to attract seed dispersing birds, as well as the correlation between the season of bird visits to perches and the phenology of fruit production in adjacent forests. Using data collected from a large-scale restoration project, we characterized the community of birds that utilize artificial perches over the course of one year. We hypothesized that the structure of a bird assemblage that uses artificial perches is affected by seasonal variation. We aimed to describe the richness, abundance and diversity of a bird assemblage on artificial perches in a subtropical Atlantic forest restoration experiment in Southern Brazil. Richness and abundance estimates of the avian fauna were obtained from eight artificial perches placed in four experimental plots (∼2 y-old). Parameters of richness and abundance were compared using ANOVA. The bird assemblage was described using SHE analysis [richness (S), diversity (H') and evenness (E)], with additional estimates of occurrence and dominance. In total, 451 records of 32 ± 3.16 SD species were obtained. Thraupidae was the most numerous family (nine species, 28.12% of the total). Richness and abundance varied seasonally and were highest during spring and summer. Five migratory species of flycatchers were recorded between spring and early autumn. Perches were ineffective in attracting specialized frugivorous birds, emphasizing that seed dispersal tends to be carried out primarily by generalist omnivores in the initial phase of forest regeneration.

A dispersão da goiabeira (Psidium guajava L.) em ecossistemas naturais brasileiros é um processo crescente e requer estudos sobre a dinâmica desta espécie. Deste modo, os objetivos foram: a) identificar quais espécies de aves se alimentam dos frutos de Psidium guajava; b) descrever as principais táticas de forrageamento das aves, que podem maximizar ou reduzir o sucesso de dispersão da goiabeira. Foram realizadas 47 horas de observação focal de aves consumindo frutos de P. guajava, onde foram registradas 11 espécies de aves (Aratinga leucophthalma, A. aurea, Amazona aestiva, Melanerpes flavifrons, Pitangus sulphuratus, Cyclarhis gujanensis, Turdus leucomelas, Mimus saturninus, Tangara palmarum, T. sayaca e Euphonia chlorotica). As guildas de aves mais representativas foram os onívoros (54,5%), seguida dos frugívoros (27,3%) e das espécies consideradas insetívoras (18,2%). Com exceção dos psitacídeos, que apresentam comportamentos alimentares que normalmente promovem danos à semente, as outras espécies apresentaram comportamentos que as indicam como potenciais dispersores da goiabeira. As aves observadas frequentam ambiente florestal e também áreas abertas, o que potencializa a dispersão da espécie pela maioria dos ambientes, podendo alterar a estrutura e composição específica da vegetação da região. Com aves atuando como dispersores de suas sementes, a colonização de novas áreas pela P. guajava é eminente, podendo assim dominar áreas de regeneração ambiental, tornando-se uma espécie danosa a processos ecossistêmicos.

There are many gaps in the knowledge about Neotropical bird migration patterns. Among these gaps is the presence of some non-migrating individuals at their breeding sites, outside their wintering grounds. There is evidence that Turdus subalaris can occur in southern Brazil during the non-reproductive period. The objective of this work was: (1) to verify possible occurrences of T. subalaris in southern Brazil during its non-breeding season and; (2) to relate these occurrences to years of harsh winters (caused in southern Brazil mainly by the influence of the climatic phenomenon La Niña). After synthesizing specific literature data and ornithological collection records, the occurrence data were compared with the climatic events of the preceding years. Thirteen T. subalaris individuals were recorded in southern Brazil during the breeding season between 1973 and 2013. Eight of these records (61.53%) occurred in years preceded by harsh winters. These new data indicate that migration dynamics in T. subalaris is more complex than previously thought, indicating that forest formations in southern Brazil may act as habitats for this species during the post-reproductive resting period.

Áreas verdes urbanas são importantes para as comunidades de Aves devido à provisão de habitat, abrigo e alimento. Pequenas modificações na estrutura vegetal desses locais podem levar a redução na disponibilidade de recursos e alteração na assembleia de aves. Assim, o presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar o efeito das modificações na estrutura da avifauna em uma área verde urbana antes e após o manejo paisagístico. A área de estudo localizada no Município de União da Vitória, Estado do Paraná, Brasil. O local contém aproximadamente 4.690 m2 e passou por modificações que resultaram na retirada de espécies arbóreas e alterações no uso do solo. O monitoramento da avifauna deu-se por meio de uma contagem direta de aves por tempo estimado. As amostragens foram realizadas quinzenalmente durante as estações da primavera e verão (setembro a março). Para a comparação entre período pré e pós-modificações da assembleia de aves, foi utilizado o teste "z". Ao final do estudo foi registrado um total de 39 espécies de aves, 35 sp no momento pré-modificações e 32 sp no momento pós, com predominância da Ordem Passeriformes. Diferenças estatísticas foram observadas para a riqueza (z = 2,63; p = 0,008) e abundância (z = 3,06; p = 0,002) entre os períodos. Observa-se que as modificações ocorridas na área verde estudada, levaram a uma diminuição da riqueza e abundância de aves, o que pode influenciar nos serviços ecossistêmicos providos por estas espécies.