The Cerrado is now considered the most threatened biome of South America. Northwestern Minas Gerais state, in southeastern Brazil, still harbors large areas of extreme importance for biological conservation of the Cerrado. The current study provides the first thorough assessment of the avifauna of a large remnant of Cerrado vegetation in this region, the Fazenda Brejão. Data are based on a bird survey conducted from November 1998 to January 2007. This area is a private property of 20.000 ha preserved that lies in a region recognized for its palm groves, a pristine Cerrado (savannah-like vegetation) and gallery forests. Bird censuses were carried out through random transects censuses, mist-net captures and recording bird vocalizations. It was recorded 273 species, belonging to 56 families. This represents 32% of all 857 bird species recorded for the Cerrado. Palm groves held approximately 42% of all recorded species. We also recorded endemic species of Cerrado as well as adjacent biomes such as the Atlantic Forest and the Caatinga. Regional threatened species were also recorded such as the Greater Rhea Rhea americana, the Chestnut-bellied Guan Penelope ochrogaster, the Bare-faced Curassow Crax fasciolata, the Black-and-white Hawk-eagle Spizastur melanoleucus, the Blue-and-yellow Macaw Ara ararauna, the Yellow-faced Parrot Alipiopsitta xanthops and the Minas Gerais Tyrannulet Phylloscartes roquettei. This species diversity reveals the biological importance of the region. The establishment of a natural reserve in the region will be an essential measure to guarantee the biological conservation of one of the best preserved areas of Cerrado to date in southeastern Brazil.

SummaryPopulations of grassland birds are declining in Brazil due to profound alterations to grassland habitats. In this paper, we present recent records and range extensions for 12 threatened or little known Brazilian grassland species: Ocellated Crake Micropygia schomburgkii, Sickle-winged Nightjar Eleothreptus anomalus, Campo Miner Geositta poeciloptera, Rufous-sided Pygmytyrant Euscarthmus rufomarginatus, Sharp-tailed Grass-tyrant Culicivora caudacuta, Cocktailed Tyrant Alectrurus tricolor, Cinereous Warbling-finch Poospiza cinerea, Black-masked Finch Coryphaspiza melanotis, Tawny-bellied Seedeater Sporophila hypoxantha, Marsh Seedeater S. palustris, Chestnut Seedeater S. cinnamomea and Black-bellied Seedeater S. melanogaster. We also comment on the biogeography and conservation of these species. ResumoAs populaçõ es de aves campestres brasileiras estão sofrendo tremendos impactos decorrentes das alteraçõ es sofridas pelos campos naturais. Neste estudo são apresentados registros e extensõ es na distribuição geográfica de 12 espécies de aves campestres brasileiras pouco conhecidas ou ameaçadas de extinção: Micropygia schomburgkii maxalalagá, Eleothreptus anomalus curiangodo-banhado, Geositta poeciloptera andarilho, Euscarthmus rufomarginatus maria-corruíra, Culicivora caudacuta papa-moscas-do-campo, Alectrurus tricolor galito, Poospiza cinerea capacetinho-do-oco-do-pau, Coryphaspiza melanotis tico-tico-de-má scara-negra, Sporophila hypoxantha caboclinho-de-barriga-vermelha, S. palustris caboclinho-de-papo-branco, S. cinnamomea caboclinho-de-chapéu-cinzento e S. melanogaster caboclinho-de-barriga-preta. Também são apresentados comentários sobre a conservação e a biogeografia dessas espécies.

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ABSTRACT. Polystictus superciliaris (Wied, 1831) is a small tyrant-flycatcher endemic to mountaintops in the highlands of eastern Brazil. In this paper we present the first description of the breeding biology of P. superciliaris and estimate its unsuccessful nests, eight (66.7%) had eggs and four (33.3%) had nestlings when they failed. In nine (42.8%) of these cases, the nests were lost to predation, two to parasitism by botflies, and one due to abandonment. This study suggests that the reproductive success of P. superciliaris is intermediate compared to the other species of Tyrannidae that have been studied and closer to the lower limit of the 40%-80% range which is characteristic of tyrant -flycatcher species that breed in temperate regions.

SummaryThe Minas Gerais Tyrannulet Phylloscartes roquettei is currently classified as a Critically Endangered species, and is one of the most poorly known Neotropical birds. Here we report seven new localities for the species in the São Francisco river basin, raising to 17 the number of localities where this species is known to occur. The range of this species was estimated at 33,500 km 2 , covering a wider habitat spectrum than previously thought, including, in addition to dry forests, riparian and semi-deciduous forests. We believe this species is overlooked because its voice is generally unknown and available plates in field guides are inaccurate. ResumoO cara-dourada Phylloscartes roquettei é atualmente classificado como Criticamente Ameaçado, sendo uma das espécies de aves Neotropicais menos conhecidas. Neste trabalho são apresentadas sete novas localidades de ocorrência da espécie para a bacia do Rio São Francisco, elevando para 17 o nú mero de localidades onde ela é conhecida. A área de ocorrência desta espécie foi estimada em 33,500 km 2 , ocupando uma gama de hábitats mais ampla do que o suposto anteriormente, incluindo, além das florestas secas, as florestas ciliares e semidecíduas. Acredita-se que esta espécie esteja passando despercebida devido ao desconhecimento de sua voz e à imprecisão das pranchas nos guias de campo disponíveis.

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We present a review on the principal interactions between birds and termites in Brazil. We found 218 bird species feeding on termites or using termitaria for nesting or perching. Termites were mentioned as food source for 179 bird species. Alates were the most consumed caste. Termitaria were mentioned as nest site for 45 bird species. Some bird species also perch on the top of termite mounds to search for their prey or to conduct territorial and/or courtship displays. Considering all interactions between both animal groups, little is known about the identification of termite genera or species. Therefore, we suggest more detailed studies to be conducted on the natural history and ecology of interactions between birds and termites in Brazil. Keywords: birds, Brazil, feeding, nesting, termites.VASCONCELOS, M.F., HOFFMANN, D., ARAÚ JO, M.C., VASCONCELOS, P.N. Bird-termite interactions in Brazil: A review with perspectives for future studies.dx. doi.org/10.1590/1676-06032014003514Resumo: Apresentamos aqui uma revisã o sobre as principais interaçõ es entre aves e cupins no Brasil. Foram registradas 218 espécies de aves alimentando-se de cupins ou usando cupinzeiros para nidificar ou se empoleirar. Os cupins foram citados como recurso alimentar para 179 espécies de aves, sendo as formas aladas as mais consumidas. Os cupinzeiros foram citados como sítio de nidificaçã o para 45 espécies de aves. Algumas espécies de aves também se empoleiram no alto de termiteiros para localizar suas presas ou para realizar exibiçõ es territoriais e/ou de corte. Considerando-se todas as interaçõ es entre ambos os grupos de animais, pouco ainda se conhece sobre a identificaçã o dos gêneros e espécies de térmitas envolvidos. Assim, sugerimos a realizaçã o de estudos mais detalhados sobre histó ria natural e ecologia das interaçõ es entre aves e cupins no Brasil.

ABSTRACT. Foraging behavior and diet of Polystictus superciliaris (Aves, Tyrannidae) in southeastern Brazil. The present article describes the foraging behavior and diet of Polystictus superciliaris (Wied, 1831), a poorly known species restricted to eastern Brazilian mountains. The work was carried out from April to December 2005 in the Serra do Rola Moça State Park, Nova Lima, Minas Gerais (20°03'S, 44°00'W). For each foraging bout we recorded the attack behavior, attack direction, substrate, height of foraging substrate, and habitat type where the attack occurred. The species diet was determined through direct field observations and by analyzing the stomach contents of 16 individuals. Polystictus superciliaris uses mainly "canga couraçada" (93.3%), and leaves (69.1%) of the most abundant plants of the area as substrate for the capture of preys. The species is generalist in relation to attack behavior. Analysis of stomach contents revealed the exclusive presence of arthropods. Field observations confirmed the exclusive insectivory of P. superciliaris, which was not observed consuming fruits or other vegetable matter.KEYWORDS. Espinhaço Range, foraging behavior, stomach contents, diet, canga. RESUMO.O presente artigo descreve o comportamento de forrageamento e a dieta de Polystictus superciliaris (Wied, 1831), espécie pouco conhecida e de distribuição geográfica restrita às montanhas do leste do Brasil. Este trabalho foi realizado entre abril e dezembro de 2005 no Parque Estadual da Serra do Rola Moça, município de Nova Lima, Minas Gerais (20°03'S, 44°00'W). Para cada observação de forrageamento foram registrados os comportamentos de ataque, a direção e o substrato do ataque, a altura do substrato de forrageamento e a fitofisionomia onde o ataque ocorreu. Para a determinação da dieta da espécie foram feitas observações diretas de campo, sendo também analisado o conteúdo estomacal de 16 indivíduos. Polystictus superciliaris usa preferencialmente a canga couraçada (93,3%), tendo como substrato principal as folhas (69,1%) das plantas mais abundantes na área. A espécie é generalista quanto ao comportamento de ataque. A análise de conteúdos estomacais revelou a presença exclusiva de artrópodes. As observações confirmaram o caráter insetívoro de P. superciliaris, que não foi observado consumindo frutos ou outro material de origem vegetal. PALAVRAS-CHAVE.Cadeia do Espinhaço, comportamento de forrageamento, conteúdo estomacal, dieta, canga.