BIRDS OF CAATINGA IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF PERNAMBUCO, BRAZIL - A BIRD CONSERVATION PRIORITY AREA

Abstract

The Region of Maravilha (RM), in the central portion of Pernambuco State is considered a priority area for bird conservation in the Caatinga, but currently there is no inventory in order to know of its birds had ever been done. In this study, the sampling of five areas in RM during dry and rainy seasons resulted in a total of 215 species, including 11 endemic to the biome and three on the list of endangered species (Penelope jacucaca, Xiphocolaptes falcirostris and Sporagra yarrellii). Some relevant records related to the distribution of birds in the biome (especially Rhea americana, Laterallus exilis, Elaenia cristata, Myiozetetes cayanensis and Campsiempis flaveola) were found. Given the composition of bird communities presented and compared with other researches conducted in areas of the Caatinga, it may be assumed that RM shows a satisfactory ecological importance, being necessary actions focused on its avifauna conservation.