Abacaxis River: new information on birds from the central region of the Madeira-Tapajós Interfluve, Amazonas, Brazil

Abstract

The Amazon Basin harbors one of the most diverse avifaunas in the world, especially in the interfluvial region between the Madeira and Tapajós rivers, with many endemic and recently described species. Even though ornithologists have visited the region since the 19 th century, there is little basic information about the local birds. Herein, the ornithological results of a scientific expedition carried out in the central and upper regions of the Abacaxis River are reported. A total of 356 bird species were recorded, including two that are threatened and five that are endemic to the region. The avian community of this species-rich region is very similar to more eastern communities, but the Abacaxis River does not form a geographic barrier for birds. The rapid loss of forest in the Amazon Basin makes it necessary to generate the type of of information provided in this study, to aid in conservation efforts.