The avian community structure of a bolivian savanna on the edge of the Cerrado system

Abstract

The avian community structure of a Bolivian savanna on the edge of the Cerrado ecosystem was studied during August and September 1994, using line-transects. The avifauna of two habitats, wet campo and dense campo, is described in detail. A third habitat, wooded savanna, is identified, but only briefly described due to limited survey effort. The diversity of these habitats is compared to data from other tropical studies. Areas of wet campo contained the greatest density of birds, but were characterized by a relatively simple bird cornmunity, formed primarily of granivorous, ground-gleaning species. Dense campo habitats, characterized by greater vegetation cover, supported a higher diversity of foraging guilds, including frugivores, insectivores and omnivores, exhibiting a variety of foraging strata and behaviours. Consequently, this habitat contained the greatest number of species. Bird species diversity was therefore related to vegetation structure and niche availability.