Feeding ecology of Ara ararauna (Aves, Psittacidae) at firebreaks in western Cerrado, Brazil

Dárius Pukenis Tubelis

doi:10.5007/2175-7925.2009v22n2p105

Abstract

This study aimed to identify food items of the Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna) flocks foraging at firebreaks in western Cerrado, Brazil. Also, I discuss ecological aspects of macaw feeding activities at firebreaks. Two 3,500ha portions of Emas National Park were selected for observations. The sites were mosaics of woodland savanna and shrubby grassland, crossed and bordered by firebreaks and adjacent unsealed roads. A total of 76 foraging flocks of macaws were recorded at firebreaks between September 2006 and February 2007. Seven plant species were identified as food items. Seeds of a shrub species (Anacardium humile) were the most often consumed resource. Parts of other plant species were sometimes consumed. Macaws perched in tree canopies to consume their young apical parts, young leaves, flowers and parts of branches. The frequency of consumption of parts of shrubs was significantly higher than that of trees. At Emas National Park, numerous Blue-and-yellow Macaw flocks are attracted to firebreaks mainly by fruiting A. humile patches. Their foraging activities often damage reproductive and young parts of shrubs and trees.

Highlights

The Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna) occurs in southern Central America and widely in tropical South American countries (Forshaw, 1989; Stotz et al, 1996)
This study aimed to identify major food items of the Blue-and-yellow Macaw at firebreaks maintained in woodland savannas and shrubby grasslands at Emas National Park, Goias state, Brazil
This study was conducted at Emas National Park, a 132,000ha nature reserve located in southwestern Goias state (17o49’ – 18o28’S and 52o39’ – 53o10’W), Brazil

Summary

Introduction

The Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna) occurs in southern Central America and widely in tropical South American countries (Forshaw, 1989; Stotz et al, 1996). In Brazil, it is widely distributed mainly through Amazonia, the Cerrado and the Pantanal (Sick, 1997; Sigrist, 2006) It is found in a diverse range of forest types, woodland savannas and open vegetation marked by high numbers of palm trees (Forshaw, 1989; Juniper and Parr, 1998; Sigrist, 2006). No studies have quantified the use of different plant species by the Blue-and-yellow Macaw in open cerrado vegetation Today, such habitats include firebreaks – bands of woodlands and grasslands managed for fire control in protected areas. At Emas National Park, for example, firebreaks are a common landscape feature (França et al, 2007), and they are often used as foraging sites by this macaw species (personal observation)

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Conclusion