Brazilian cleaner birds: update and brief reappraisal

Sazima, Iván; Sazima, Cristina

doi:10.1590/s1676-06032010000100028

Cited by 7 publications

(10 citation statements)

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“…The role crows play in the Ethiopian region is partly fulfilled in the Neotropics by the Caracarini falcons. Five out of the 11 recognised caracarine species (sensu Griffiths et al 2004) are recorded as cleaners (Sazima 2007a, Sazima & Sazima 2010, present paper), and likely one to two additional species will be reported with further field studies focusing on cleaning associations in the continental Neotropics.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

“…Another cause for the smaller number of cleaner birds in the Neotropics may be the lack of field studies focused on terrestrial cleaning associations in South America (e.g. Tomazzoni et al 2005, Sazima & Sazima 2010 and references therein) as compared to those in Africa (e.g. Dean & MacDonald 1981, Ruggiero & Eves 1988 and references therein).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most of the Neotropical cleaner birds associate with mediumsized to large herbivorous mammals, including capybara, deer, tapir, and cattle (e.g. Peres 1996, Sick 1997, Sazima 2007a, Sazima & Sazima 2010. Albeit this holds true for the continental Neotropics, Neotrop.,vol.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The issue of posing versus non-posing is briefly addressed by Sazima & Sazima (2010) for mammal clients while attended by bird cleaners in Brazil, situation in which cattle is not known to pose. However, cattle and feral hogs in south-eastern USA, and introduced banteng in northern Australia pose for corvid cleaners (Kilham 1982, Bradshaw & White 2006.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the Neotropics, this association type is poorly known except for studies mostly in the Galápagos Islands and Brazil (e.g. MacFarland & Reeder 1974, Christian 1980, Grant 1986, Tomazzoni et al 2005, Sazima 2007a, Sazima & Sazima 2010.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cleaner birds: an overview for the Neotropics

Sazima

2010

Biota Neotrop.

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Several bird species feed on a variety of external parasites and epibionts, organic debris, dead and wounded tissue, clots and blood, and secretions from the body of other vertebrates (hosts or clients). We present an overview of so called cleaner birds from the Neotropics based on field records, literature, and photo survey. We found that 33 bird species in 16 families practice cleaning even if some of them do so very occasionally. The birds range from the Galápagos ground finch Geospiza fuliginosa to the widespread black vulture Coragyps atratus. Clients mostly are large herbivores such as capybaras, deer, and livestock, but also include medium-sized herbivores such as iguanas and tortoises, and carnivores such as boobies and seals - a few bird species associate with these latter marine mammals. No carnivorous terrestrial mammal client is recorded to date except for a domestic dog, from whose hair black vultures picked organic debris. Some clients adopt particular inviting postures while being cleaned, whereas others are indifferent or even disturbed by the activity of cleaner birds. Capybaras, giant tortoises, and iguanas are among the inviting clients, whereas boobies try to dislodge the 'vampire' finch Geospiza difficilis. Most of the Neotropical cleaner birds may be lumped in one broad category (omnivores that dwell in open areas and associate with large to medium-sized herbivores). A second, restricted category accommodates some species from Patagonia and the Galápagos Islands (omnivores that dwell in open areas and associate with carnivorous marine mammals, or seabirds and marine reptiles). Two still more restricted categories accommodate the following: 1) forest-dwelling cleaner birds; and 2) marine coastal cleaners. Additional records of Neotropical cleaner birds will mostly fall in the broad category.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%