Plastic use by a Brazilian freshwater bird species in its nesting activities

Abstract

Here we report the use of plastics by Chrysomus ruficapillus (Vieillot, 1819) (Passeriformes: Icteridae), popularly known as “Garibaldi”, in its nesting activities. The phenomenon was registered on October 17, 2020 near Furnas reservoir, upper Paraná River Basin, in Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. We also discuss the possible negative effects — e.g., asphyxiation, entanglement — for C. ruficapillus using plastic materials in nesting activities. Finally, we call attention to the need for further investigations about similar events in other Brazilian watersheds.