Seasonal changes in bird assemblages of coastal woodlands in east-central Argentina

V. R. CUETO; J. LOPEZ DE CASENAVE

STUDIES ON NEOTROPICAL FAUNA AND ENVIRONMENT

Swetz & Zeitlinger

Año: 2000 vol. 35 p. 173 - 177

0165-0521

We studied seasonal variation in bird assemblages during two years in the coastal woodlands of "El Destino" Reserve in the Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Higher bird density was recorded during spring, and lower one during autumn. Species richness did not show seasonal changes during the annual cycle. Insectivore guild did not show seasonal variations in their abundance and species composition unlike the frugivore-insectivore and granivore guilds. As winters are not harsh, insectivorous species might not be faced with food shortage. In contrast, the abundance of frugivorous-insectivorous and granivorous species appeared to be related with fluctuations in their food resources. Low seasonal changes in the insectivore guild determine the lack of fluctuations in species richness. Seasonal variations in bird density was due to higher abundance of frugivore-insectivore guild during spring, and because several austral migrant species arrived at the coastal woodlands in this season.