Birdwatching in RPPN Santuário do Caraça (MG, Brazil) in the context of Southeastern Brazilian mountains

Abstract

The Santuário do Caraça Natural Heritage Private Reserve (RPPNSC) is an important touristic center in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The area shelters almost 400 bird species and is considered an important area for bird conservation (IBA - Important Bird Area) of the Atlantic Forest. Nevertheless, the birdwatching is still poorly practiced in this area in comparison to other mountainous localities traditionally visited in southeastern Brazil. Thus, the aim of this paper is to analyze the potential of the RPPNSC for the practice of this activity in the context of southeastern Brazilian mountains, based on the occurrence of typical and endemic taxa of the Atlantic Forest or those related to the rupestrian and high-altitude fields. A compilation of these taxa was based on published surveys carried out in the RPPNSC and over 25 years of field sampling, considering different trails and attractions. In order to verify and compile the occurrence of these taxa in other mountainous areas of southeastern Brazil included in birdwatching routes or that have potential for such activities, eight localities were considered in the present revision. The analyzes indicated the presence of 90 taxa (including subspecies) endemic or typical of the Atlantic Forest or endemic/typical of the rupestrian/high-altitude fields of southeastern Brazilian mountains recorded in the RPPNSC. Among them, 17 have been recorded in only half or less of these other mountainous localities. Further, most of them are locally common and can be easily observed along trails with light or medium levels of hiking. An analysis of the composition and richness of these taxa in several trails of the RPPNSC that present different hiking levels is also presented, indicating the possibility of observing high numbers of endemic and typical birds of southeastern Brazilian mountains, even along trails with light level of hiking or in the hotel’s surroundings. The most important birds to be watched are mentioned in the text in order to help birders and guides according to their specific interests. Although RPPNSC has an excellent infrastructure for accommodation and food, the area is not one of the best-known localities for birdwatching in southeastern Brazil, being overshadowed by other areas traditionally visited for this purpose, such as Itatiaia and Serra do Cipó. Thus, it is suggested that the RPPNSC and its surroundings are better used for the practice of birdwatching.