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We analyzed the overlap of the range of Pygochelidon melanoleuca in Brazil with active and planned hydropower plants in the country (current and future scenarios). We used the Random Forest, Maxent and Support Vector Machine algorithms to model the potential range of the species, which we then overlapped with the locations of active and planned hydropower plants in order to calculate how much the potential area of this species is and will be affected by them. Approximately 35% of active hydropower plants currently overlap with the potential distribution area of P. melanoleuca, and 44% of planned hydropower plants also coincide with this area. If the implementation of the planned hydropower plants occurs, the suitable habitat necessary for nesting and foraging of P. melanoleuca will be severely compromised.

The Black-collared Swallow, Pygochelidon melanoleuca, is a Critically Endangered species in the state of MinasGerais, Brazil, where its distribution remains poorly known. Here we present novel occurrence records in the Paranaíba,São Francisco and Jequitinhonha river basins, and we discuss the conservation of this species in the region.

The degree of habitat specificity determines the distinctive ways that birds respond to land-use and climate change. Information on habitat-use, movement potential and sensitivity to human disturbance can promote reliable predictions on species response to spatial and temporal global changes. Here, we made an extensive review about habitat-use of 52 birds with distribution mainly in the Cerrado domain, a world hotspot with alarming climate change and land-use projections. We described habitat-use, classified habitats into three categories (grasslands, savannahs, and forests), inferred movement potential and sensitivity to human disturbance from records in anthropogenic matrices and identified knowledge gaps. More than one-half of the species surveyed predominantly use only one major natural habitat category, mostly forests, or are highly associated to microhabitats or to specific habitat features (62%, n = 32). Grasslands were the most used habitat (n = 32). Most species apparently will encounter difficulties to move through the landscape (27% and 36% of the species have low and medium movement potential, respectively) and are highly sensitive to human disturbance (48%). Furthermore, a considerable low number of species was frequently recorded in non-natural habitats and considered of low sensitivity (n = 6). Our results offer a wide understanding of relevant habitats and microhabitats for Cerrado birds and can add more reality to future model estimates, enhancing success of current and future conservation initiatives.

Apresentamos os primeiros registros de Pheucticus aureoventris dos estados de Rondônia, Amazonas e Goiás no Brasil, que expandem significativamente a área conhecida da espécie na região central da América do Sul e Amazônia. Anteriormente, P. aureoventris era conhecido apenas como migrante austral para áreas semi-abertas no sudoeste do Brasil. Nossa hipótese é que o desmatamento (criando habitats abertos adicionais) e um aumento no número de ornitólogos que pesquisam regiões pouco amostradas, podem estar relacionados à extensão da extensão de P. aureoventris no Brasil. We present the first records of Pheucticus aureoventris from the states of Rondônia, Amazonas and Goiás in Brazil, which significantly expand the species’ known range into central South America and Amazonia. Previously, P. aureoventris was known only as an austral migrant to semi-open areas in south-western Brazil. We hypothesize that deforestation (creating additional open habitats) and an increase in the number of ornithologists surveying poorly sampled regions, may be related to the range extension of P. aureoventris in Brazil.

SummaryPopulations of grassland birds are declining in Brazil due to profound alterations to grassland habitats. In this paper, we present recent records and range extensions for 12 threatened or little known Brazilian grassland species: Ocellated Crake Micropygia schomburgkii, Sickle-winged Nightjar Eleothreptus anomalus, Campo Miner Geositta poeciloptera, Rufous-sided Pygmy-tyrant Euscarthmus rufomarginatus, Sharp-tailed Grass-tyrant Culicivora caudacuta, Cock-tailed Tyrant Alectrurus tricolor, Cinereous Warbling-finch Poospiza cinerea, Black-masked Finch Coryphaspiza melanotis, Tawny-bellied Seedeater Sporophila hypoxantha, Marsh Seedeater S. palustris, Chestnut Seedeater S. cinnamomea and Black-bellied Seedeater S. melanogaster. We also comment on the biogeography and conservation of these species.

We present new records of Phibalura flavirostris for the state of Minas Gerais, a little known and endangered species in the state, including notes on feeding and breeding behavior. We also present a review of records of the species in this state based on specimens housed in ornithological collections. It was noted the consumption of fruits belonging to five different plant families and reproductive evidence in a new state locality. The species proved to be rare in Minas Gerais, being relatively common in a few localities. P. flavirostris proved to be resident in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero region and were not found evidence of altitudinal migration. However the available records are inconsistent to affirm about the migration patterns of this species. The preservation of certain areas and new studies on the natural history are important for the conservation of the species in Minas Gerais state.