Artículos de revistas
DIET AND FEEDING BEHAVIOR OF THE YELLOW-FACED PARROT (ALIPIOPSITTA XANTHOPS) IN BRASILIA, BRAZIL
Registro en:
Ornitologia Neotropical. Neotropical Ornithological Soc, Usgs Patuxent Wildlife Research Ctr, v. 22, n. 1, n. 79, n. 88, 2011.
1075-4377
WOS:000290132900007
Autor
de Araujo, CB
Marcondes-Machado, LO
Institución
Resumen
There are only few reports on the biology of the near threatened Yellow-faced Parrot Alipiopsitta xanthops, and this is the first systematic study on the species diet over a year. The study was carried out in 2006 in Brasilia, Brazil. Observations consisted of feeding-bouts on plant species consumed by parrots and the attainment behavior. The species seems to be a foraging generalist, feeding on fruits, seeds, and leaves of 15 different plant species. We also registered ingestion of uncommon items such as soil and bark. We observed and described two main attainment methods: direct and indirect access. Preference for food attainment method varied according to plant morphology but parrots were also observed using both methods on the same plant species. Parrots used their feet when food resources were aggregated, allowing access to several food items. That way they improved feeding efficiency through searching time reduction. The parrots switch attainment method depending on the plant phenological stage. When fruits are closed and access is only possible through handling, parrots use indirect access. When fruits are open, parrots use direct access, reducing handling time. The left foot was mostly used during indirect access, but we also observed ambidextrous individuals. A total of 35 plant species has been so far recorded as part of the diet of the Yellow-faced Parrots, with a great turnover on species composition as it should be expected for a foraging generalist. Accepted 4 February 2011. 22 1 79 88 Faepex (Unicamp) Katherine Mclennan Brown Charitable Foundation