How long until an urban feeder has bird visitors during the Brazilian summer?

Author(s)

Alexandrino, Eduardo Roberto ; Gobbi, Anita Seneme ; Menezes, Samario Rogrigues ; Dhondt, Andre A.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ORNITHOLOGY RESEARCH; v. 33, n. 1, p. 9-pg., 2025-02-07.

Abstract

Although some studies emphasize the negative impacts of feeders on bird communities, they are also considered a promising way to enhance public appreciation for urban green spaces by fostering visual contact with birds. In the Neotropical region, the lack of studies on the rational use of fruits in bird feeders jeopardizes the ability of managers to make informed decisions about using feeders for human enjoyment. Therefore, we measured how long it takes for a newly installed bird feeder in an urban park in southeastern Brazil to begin attracting local fruit-eating birds. We monitored a bird feeder using a camera trap during two periods (Nov/2019 - Mar/2020 and Dec/2022 - Apr/2023), with the feeder taken down and the park closed in the interim. From the 27 species in the park known to visit feeders, only 10 visited ours. Thraupis sayaca, Turdus leucomelas, and Ramphocelus carbo were the most frequent visitors in both periods. On 24 out of the 39 days when fruit was offered (61.5%), the first birds arrived on the same day, taking an average of 1 h and 50 min to appear. We observed that continued fruit offerings attract new species over time, but with variation on the species increment (first period - 22 days to attract 6 species / second period - 5 days to attract 6 species). Our paper also discusses factors likely to influence bird visits to feeders, providing insights into how urban birds respond to artificial feeders in Brazil. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 23/10137-5 - Benefits and challenges of citizen science: examples from US to guide initiatives in Brazil
• Grantee: Eduardo Roberto Alexandrino
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 22/01242-7 - Optimizing citizen Science in Brazil: identifying ways to increase social and scientific impacts to improve conservation
• Grantee: Eduardo Roberto Alexandrino
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral