Birds of the Semi-arid of Bahia

Caio Graco Machado

Birds are the best known vertebrates since they can be easily spotted in any environment for having, in general, very noticeable colours and vocalization, for being diurnal in most species and, for occurring in a great number of individuals and species.

Among all regions in Brazil, the Semi-arid has the least known bird fauna. There are large gaps of knowledge on the distribution, composition and patterns of different communities of birds, besides being few the numbers of studies on their ecology and natural history. However, in the last years, we have noticed an increasing interest in the bird fauna of this region, particularly in the caatinga, the only exclusively Brazilian biome. In 2000, a workshop was carried out (PROBIO/MMA) in Petrolina, Pernambuco, which resulted in a document entitled ‘ Assessment and identification of priority actions for conservation, sustainable use and distribution of benefits of the biodiversity of the Caatinga Biome’ . Concerning birds, the workshop produced a complete and excellent review of the literature on the history and the state of the knowledge on the bird fauna in the caatinga region: ‘Aves da Caatinga – Apreciação Histórica do Processo de Conhecimento’. Such document along with others are part of the book ‘Biodiversidade da caatinga: áreas e ações prioritárias para a conservação’, published by MMA in 2004.

Interactions among Birds and Plants

Studies have shown the interaction among birds and plants, mainly the hummingbirds and their floral resources, and seed dispersal by birds. These were carried out in areas of campos rupestres and, more recently, in areas of caatinga and cerrado in the Chapada Diamantina massif. Funded by FAPESB, MMA/PROBIO, CNPq and FNMA, these studies have also proved that great part of the resources used by birds (nectar and fruit) is available throughout the year, keeping the population of pollinators and dispersers of seeds in the region, thus maximizing the reproductive process of the plants.

Out of Chapada Diamantina, yet in the semi-arid of Bahia, studies were and have still been carried out in areas which are considered priority for biological survey. In Raso da Catarina, a study funded by FNMA was developed, concerning the use of birds by the Pankararé Indians. Almost all species of local birds are used by this ethnic group, mainly as food, except the ‘urubus’ (the vultures Cathartes aura, C. burrovianus and Coragyps atratus), because of the bad odour in its meat, and the ‘lavandeiras’ ( masked water-tyrant, Fluvicola nengeta), which are believed to be blessed birds.

Bird Inventories in the Chapada Diamantina

Since 1997, UEFS has developed projects involving bird fauna inventories and studies focusing on the interaction between birds and local flora with the objective of developing the knowledge on the bird fauna in the Semi-arid, particularly in Bahia. Such knowledge becomes important when strategies for the conservation of biodiversity are discussed, since birds are excellent bioindicators for environmental quality.

The Semi-arid of Bahia occupies around 40% of the area in the State and includes a vegetational mosaic composed by areas of cerrado, inland mesophile forests, campos rupestres, continental dunes and predominantly caatinga. Most of the phytophysiognomic diversity of the Semi-arid of Bahia occurs in Chapada Diamatina, which has been the focus of most investigations by LORMA (Laboratory of Ornithology and Mastozoology) at UEFS. Inventories accomplished through projects funded by CNPq (‘Studies on the Flora and Fauna from the Espinhaço Range of Bahia and Definition of Strategies for Conservation’) and PROBIO/MMA (‘Chapada Diamantina: biodiversity’) have achieved the register of around 370 species of birds so far.

Chapada Diamantina National Park is considered a key area for the conservation of rare and vulnerable species, such as ‘jandaia’ (golden-capped parakeet, Aratinga auricapilla), ‘tiriba’ ( blue-throated conure, Pyrrhura cruentata), ‘bico-virado-da-caatinga’ (great xenops, Megaxenops parnaguae) and ‘chorozinho-de-papo-preto’ ( pectoral antwren, Herpsilochmus pectoralis). The region also hosts other endangered species recognized by IBAMA such as the ‘águia-cinzenta’ ( crowned eagle, Harpyhaliaetus coronatus), ‘gavião-pomba’ (white-necked hawk, Leucopternis lacernulata), ‘jacucaca’ (white-browed guan, Penelope jacucaca), ‘papagaio-de-peito-roxo’ (vinaceous amazon, Amazona vinacea), ‘formigueiro-do-nordeste’ (narrow-billed antwren, Formicivora iheringi), ‘pavó’ (red-ruffed fruitcrow, Pyroderus scutatus) and ‘coroinha’ ( yellow-faced ‘siskin’, Carduelis yarrelli).

Despite its singularity, the bird fauna of Chapada Diamantina is poor in endemism. There are only three species endemic to the Espinhaço Range: the ‘papa-moscas-de-costas-cinzentas’ (grey-backed tachuri, Polystictus superciliaris), the ‘felipe-estulinha’ (pale-throated serra-finch, Embernagra longicauda) and the ‘beija-flor-de-gravatinha-vermelha’ (hooded visorbearer, Augastes lumachellus). Only the last one is exclusive of Chapada Diamantina, what suggests it to be elected as its symbol bird.

Chapada Diamantina National Park is an extremely important area for the conservation of the bird fauna because besides holding the regional species, it is a primary spot for many migratory species on their migration routes. The importance and the urgent need of conservation of its bird fauna can be noticed through the results: 33 are migratory species, 40 are endemic of Brazil (in different levels of distribution) and 20 are endangered.

Bird Inventories in the Caatinga

Supported by PPBio of the Semi-arid (MCT; Chapter 2), inventories of birds in the regions of Senhor do Bonfim and dunes of São Francisco River is being accomplished. So far, 141 species of birds have been registered in the former and 91 in the latter. Such diversity is probably larger. The surveys are still ongoing and partial results are limited only to registers during the dry season. Expeditions in the rainy season will be carried out, when resources in the caatinga are abundant, what consequently might attract populations of different species of birds.

The ornithology team of UEFS has carried out detailed survey on the studies accomplished on the bird fauna in the Semi-arid of Bahia, along with IMSEAR (Chapter 1), resulting in a check-list of 456 species of birds recorded for the Semi-arid of Bahia. Such species were obtained by checking 154 references in literature, performing a total of 3,289 registers of species of birds. From this variety, 57 families have been registered. Two of them, Tyrannidae and Emberizidae, contributed with 72 and 67 species, respectively. Both occur in a great diversity of environments, being Tyrannidae endemic to the American continent.

The number of endemism among the birds of the Semi-arid region in Bahia is low. Only two species are considered endemic of the region: the two Psitacidae ‘ararinha-azul’ (little blue macaw, Cyanopsitta spixi), and the ‘arara-azul-de-lear’ (Lear's Macaw,Anodorhynchus leari) (ambas Psitacidae). Besides, the previously cited Augastes lumachellus is endemic to the Chapada Diamantina replacing its co-generic from the south portion, Augastes scutattus . In Chapada Diamantina, A. lumachellus seems to be restricted to altitudes above 1,000 m. The little blue macaw is already considered extinct in the nature. It used to occur in the region of Cuaraçá, whereas the Lear’s macaw occurs in the region of Raso da Catarina. Although the efforts to protect the little blue macaw were great, they were also late and hopeless. The Lear’s macaw and the white-browed guan (Penelope jacucaca), endemic to the caatinga though not restricted to the State of Bahia , are listed as endangered.



Conservation of Birds

Due to the large area occupied by the Semi-arid of Bahia, there are still gaps to be explored. Yet, some factors have contributed to the extinction of species, such as (i) lack of knowledge on the bird fauna of this region; (ii) poaching, that aims not only the use of birds as food, but also for the illegal (national and international) commerce of wild animals and, (iii) the destruction of environments. It is important to remark that the State of Bahia presents the highest numbers of poaching in the whole country. The recent extinction of the little blue macaw in the nature is a good example of such damage.

Thus, UEFS has been adding efforts for the scientific investigation on birds in the Semi-arid of Bahia. Studies promoted by the university focus on composition, richness, distribution, use of habitats, interactions with the flora, behaviour and reproduction, aiming at contributing with quality of knowledge on the bird fauna, moreover committing to the discussion of goals for the conservation and management of the species and their environments.

‘ Avaliação e identificação de ações prioritárias para conservação, utilização sustentável e repartição de benefícios da biodiversidade do Bioma Caatinga’, coordinated by José Fernando Pacheco and Claudia Bauer

Estudos de Flora e Fauna na Cadeia do Espinhaço da Bahia e Definição de Estratégias de Preservação