Birds of Estação Ecológica de Carijós, southern Brazil

Abstract

Estação Ecológica de Carijós, southern Brazil, was created to protect biodiversity found in mangrove areas, restingas, and swamps of Santa Catarina Island. This paper presents an updated bird list of this protected area based on different surveying methods between 2009 and 2012. Thirty new species were recorded to Estação Ecológica de Carijós. Among 227 species known to occur in the area, 6 are threatened and 5 are highly dependent on mangrove areas or restingas. Study area has great importance, once it holds 64% of all bird species recorded in Santa Catarina Island, and 32% of those found in the state of Santa Catarina. High richness that was observed can be due to complex mosaic of natural habitats. Results show this protected area should be expanded to include not only nearby areas of restinga, but also the marine portion of Ratones Bay