The Ornate Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus ornatus) is a top predator and inhabits mainly preserved forests. It occurs from Mexico to Argentina and throughout Brazil, where it is threatened by extinction. It hunts birds, mammals and reptiles, picking up both on the ground and on the branches in the forest. Here we report data on a pair and one young individual of this species registered in the southeast of Minas Gerais state, eastern portion of the Espinhaço Range, Brazil. In addition, a literature review on the diet of the species was carried out aiming gather data on food habits. The nesting territory, as well as the nest was discovered in semi-deciduous seasonal forest area. We recorded predation of a Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture (Cathartes burrovianus) by the young. After two days of observation, the nest was overthrown, what allowed its screening for other food items discovered after analysis of some feathers and bones. Detailed records of predation of S. ornatus were non-existent or inaccurate. Taking together our own field observation and the literature review, we found 121 taxa consumed by S. ornatus. A total of 78 bird species were reported, mainly Galliformes, followed by medium-sized mammals (38 species), well represented by Rodentia and Primates.

Honeydew foraging by birds has been extensively documented in recent years. However, this interaction has been poorly documented in Brazil, with predominance of few species of birds foraging only in Mimosa scabrella trees. With the objective of describing the behavior of birds interacting with scale insects associated with trees, we conducted a study at the Serra de São José, Tiradentes, in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Observations were recorded from June to July 2012. We observed 13 species of birds feeding on honeydew scale insects, eight never previously recorded. We observed individuals using aerial and surface maneuvers to collect the honeydew on the branches or reaching the droppings below the branches. These species were observed foraging individually, in pairs and also in large groups. Our results suggest that honeydew excretion from scale insects associated with Pseudopiptadenia leptostachya trees represents an important energy source for local birds as observed in fragments of Atlantic Forest in the Minas Gerais State, southeast region of Brazil.

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∙ Despite being one of the most diverse biomes in the world, the Atlantic Forest is currently restricted to small isolated fragments and, therefore, the majority of its fauna is declining or threatened. This is mainly due to habitat loss, edge effects, and other patch-level negative effects. Here we study whether the type of matrix surrounding Atlantic forest fragments affects patterns of bird diversity. We hypothesize that fragments in contact with a matrix dominated by Eucalyptus plantations would have more diverse bird communities compared to matrices dominated by pastures. We assessed the richness, abundance, and functional diversity of birds at the edge and in the interior of fragments of Atlantic Forest surrounded by pastures and by plantations of Eucalyptus trees. Even though all the studied fragments showed relatively low values of species richness, those surrounded by the Eucalyptus matrix had higher species richness and evenness at the edge of the fragments compared to those surrounded by pasture. Furthermore, the bird community in contact with the Eucalyptus matrix had higher functional diversity and higher abundance of bird groups generally sensitive to disturbances. Our data illustrate the importance of the matrix composition surrounding fragments. While replacing Atlantic forests with Eucalyptus plantations will lead to a reduction in bird diversity, our data suggest that nevertheless Eucalyptus plantations can buffer edge effects for forest birds compared to more abrupt transitions, such as with pastures. Resumo ∙ Efeito da matriz envolvente sobre comunidades de pássaros em fragmentos da Mata Atlântica do Brasil Apesar de ser um dos biomas mais ricos em biodiversidade do mundo, a Mata Atlântica encontra-se majoritariamente restrita a pequenos fragmentos isolados e, portanto, grande parte de sua fauna está em declínio e sob risco de extinção. Isso se deve principalmente à perda de habitat, efeitos de borda e outros efeitos negativos relacionados a fragmentação. Nossa hipótese é que fragmentos florestais em contato com uma matriz formada principalmente por eucalipto apresentariam comunidades de aves mais diversas quanto à riqueza e papéis funcionais. Avaliamos a riqueza, abundância e diversidade funcional de aves na borda e no interior de fragmentos de Mata Atlântica cercadas por pastagens e por eucaliptos. Apesar de todos os fragmentos terem apresentado baixos valores de riqueza de espécies, aqueles cercados por uma matriz de eucalipto apresentam maior riqueza e uniformidade de espécies na borda comparado com fragmentos circundados por pasto. Além disso, a comunidade em contato com a matriz de eucalipto apresentou maior diversidade funcional e maior abundância de grupos geralmente sensíveis a distúrbios. Nossos dados ilustram a importância da composição da matriz em torno dos fragmentos. Embora a substituição da Mata Atlântica por plantações de eucaliptos leve a uma redução significativa da diversidade de aves, nossos dados sugerem que as plantações de eucalipto podem amortecer os efeitos de borda para as aves florestais nos fragmentos, em comparação com transições mais abruptas, como as pastagens.