Estratégias de forrageamento e interações tróficas de Pyrrhura griseipectus (Psittacidae) na Serra de Baturité, Ceará

Abstract

The order Psittaciformes encompasses the fourth largest bird species richness in tropical forests and exhibits a wide range of interactions with plants, being recently recognized as important contributors to seed dispersal and flower pollination. Studying the diet composition, feeding behavior, and trophic interactions of Psittaciformes contributes to the development of more effective conservation strategies and the generation of knowledge about the basic biology of these species. Given the importance of these studies, the present study aims to describe the feeding ecology and behavior of Pyrrhura griseipectus in Serra de Baturité (CE, Brazil). Popularly known as the Gray-breasted Parakeet, this species is endemic to Northeast Brazil and is considered ENDANGERED by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). Sampling was conducted over a period of 12 months in the Área de Proteção Ambiental (APA) of Serra de Baturité (4°16'S, 38°56'W), from August 2019 to July 2021. Feeding behaviors were recorded using the "ad libitum" method, which involved documenting all relevant behaviors exhibited, and served as a basis for analyzing potential trophic interactions in which P. griseipectus participates. The species employed four methods for food ingestion during the handling of food items: "bite," "pick and bite," "pick and swallow," and "reaching and swallow." Predation was the most recorded trophic interaction, but potential mutualistic interactions were also observed, such as seed dispersal, facilitation of secondary seed dispersal, pollination, and facilitation of secondary pollination. With the obtained results, we can understand how P. griseipectus behaves during the manipulation of its food and that this species not only acts as a predator of food items but can also establish mutualistic interactions.