Associação entre aves e flores de duas espécies de árvores do gênero Erythrina (Fabaceae) na Mata Atlântica do sudeste do Brasil

Abstract

Flowers are considered important resources in the diet of birds during the dry season. We studied the interaction between birds and two species of the trees of genus Erythrina (E. falcata and E. verna) at four localities in the state of Rio de Janeiro: Serra dos Órgãos, Serra da Mantiqueira, Vale do Paraíba, and the southern coastal area (Costa Verde). Sampling was during the dry season. The purpose of this study was to identify the bird species recorded visiting these Leguminosae species and to describe their feeding behavior. A total of 27 bird species were recorded feeding on nectar and 16 were recorded catching arthropods attracted by the flowers. Some strategies used by birds to exploit nectar are described. The presence of so many species and the time spent by them on the trees corroborate the importance of nectar consumption and flowers to the bird community during the dry season. The importance of bird species on pollination is also discussed.