Breeding biology of the Maguari Stork Ciconia maguari (Aves, Ciconiidae) in the Pampa, and an outline in other Brazilian biomes

Abstract

The Maguari Stork (Ciconia maguari) is one of the three species of the family Ciconiidae that occur in South America. Despite abundant in landscapes dominated by wetlands and grasslands, detailed studies on its biology are scarce. This study is aimed at investigating aspects of the breeding of Maguari Storks in Brazil. Photographic records were searched in the WikiAves database. A total of 65 records, obtained by citizens along 13 years in 32 municipalities, showed evidences of breeding activities in Brazil. Most (86%) of these records were gathered in the Pampa biome, in southern Brazil. Nests were large platforms and contained 1-3 young. Nests built on the ground were in grasslands or reed patches. Those built on shrubs were at boundaries between lakes and grasslands, and were often in colonial nesting sites with egrets and herons. Incubation occurred between July and November, and nestlings were found between August and December. Juveniles able to fly were recorded between late October and February. Most records of breeding activities were obtained at sites located < 300 m above sea level. As the Maguari Stork is a conspicuous and charismatic species, its conservation could substantially benefit from the awareness of landowners to promote eco-tourism in their properties, attracting birdwatchers. For this, it should be ensured the integrity of grasslands, marshes, and lakes with microhabitats often used for nesting (woody plants and reed patches).

Seasonal variation in the predation on avian resources by the Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco) in Brazil, based on community science data

“…Although some recent studies have used photographic records of WikiAves to investigate aspects of the feeding ecology of Brazilian birds (e.g., Teixeira et al 2019, Tubelis & Wachlevski 2021, Gomes & Tubelis 2022, Costa & Tubelis 2023), the amount of information about food items available in this database remains substantially underused by researchers. Our study suggests that professional ornithologists could benefit significantly by using records on platforms such as WikiAves to increase the knowledge on aspects of the feeding ecology of birds.…”

“…Thus, their role in animal predation needs to be better examined. We supposed that this scarcity of quantitative information on the diet of toucans could be mitigated through the use of community science data, as recently occurred for bird species of other families found in Brazil (e.g., Crozariol & Gomes 2010, Teixeira et al 2019, Tubelis & Sazima 2021, Tubelis & Wachlevski 2021, de Souza et al 2022, Gomes & Tubelis 2022, Costa & Tubelis 2023.…”

Ecologia populacional e alimentar de Gracilinanus microtarsus (Marsupialia: Didelphidae)

“…pessoal). Tal variação poderia resultar de potenciais mudanças temporais nas necessidades energéticas dos sexos associadas com a reprodução (Gittleman & Thompson 1988;Shine 1989;Thompson 1992), que em G. microtarsus é marcadamente sazonal (Martins et al 2006a;Passamani 2000;Tubelis 2000).…”

“…O sexo foi identificado como um fator endógeno, pois G. microtarsus é sexualmente dimórfico e o dimorfismo sexual em tamanho e seus correlatos, como necessidades energéticas, influenciam de maneira distinta as taxas de consumo de alimento por machos e fêmeas (Schoener 1986;Shine 1989;Bolnick et al 2003). A sazonalidade foi identificada como um fator exógeno, pois a reprodução em G. microtarsus é fortemente associada com a estação quente−úmida (Martins et al 2006a;Passamani 2000;Tubelis 2000). A reprodução sazonal pode causar variação temporal nas taxas de consumo de alimentos devido ao potencial aumento das necessidades energéticas associadas à busca de parceiros sexuais, ao acasalamento e à gravidez e lactação (Gittleman & Thompson 1988;Thompson 1992).…”

“…A cuíca Gracilinanus microtarsus Wagner, 1842 (Figura A), encontrada no Brasil habitando áreas de Mata Atlântica e Cerrado, é um pequeno marsupial com massa entre 10 e 45 gramas que apresenta atividade noturna e hábito predominantemente arborícola (Eisenberg & Redford 2000;Emmons & Feer 1997;Gargaglioni et al 1998;Passamani 2000). Gracilinanus microtarsus possui dimorfismo sexual de tamanho, sendo os machos maiores que as fêmeas (Costa et al 2003), e a reprodução se inicia nos meses de maior pluviosidade (Martins et al 2006a;Passamani 2000;Tubelis 2000). A sua dieta é aparentemente composta principalmente por insetos (Martins & Bonato 2004), mas G. microtarsus atua também como importante dispersor das sementes de espécies da família Araceae em uma área de Mata Atlântica (Vieira & Izar 1999).…”