Anthropogenic noise is becoming more prevalent in the world and has been shown to affect many animal species, including birds. The impact of such noise was measured in Neotropical urban parks to assess how the noise affects avifauna diversity and species richness. We sampled bird species, and concurrently measured sound pressure (noise) levels (Leq, equivalent noise levels) in eight urban green areas or parks located in a large city (Belo Horizonte) in south‐eastern Brazil over a 1‐year period. The diversity of sampled points was measured by means of total species richness, Fisher's alpha and Shannon–Wiener diversity indices. Noise levels within all parks were greater than those in natural areas. We found that an increase in noise levels and the area of open habitats surrounding sampling points were negatively related to species richness. Social factors reflecting increased urbanization, such as higher incomes, were also negatively correlated with bird species richness. However, noise was the factor that explained most of the variance. These results suggest that anthropogenic noise can have a significant negative impact on the conservation value of urban parks for bird species.
The distribution of Anthus nattereri, an endangered species, is extended at least 170 km to the north of the nearest locality in southeastern Brazil. New records of five individuals are provided from the municipality of Itabirito, within the Quadrilátero Ferrífero region, Minas Gerais state. Anthus nattereri was photographed and tape-recorded, sometimes in sympatry with Anthus hellmayri, a species it closely resembles. Records were made mostly on burnt open grasslands (“campos limpos”) making the conservation of this species a difficult task.
We present new records of Phibalura flavirostris for the state of Minas Gerais, a little known and endangered species in the state, including notes on feeding and breeding behavior. We also present a review of records of the species in this state based on specimens housed in ornithological collections. It was noted the consumption of fruits belonging to five different plant families and reproductive evidence in a new state locality. The species proved to be rare in Minas Gerais, being relatively common in a few localities. P. flavirostris proved to be resident in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero region and were not found evidence of altitudinal migration. However the available records are inconsistent to affirm about the migration patterns of this species. The preservation of certain areas and new studies on the natural history are important for the conservation of the species in Minas Gerais state.
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