Birds from small urban green areas of Porto União (Santa Catarina State) and União da Vitória (Paraná State) cities

Abstract

Urban green areas play an important role in biodiversity conservation of cities, providing habitat and resources for native and migratory bird species. Understanding how bird species respond to the urban matrix can help in ways to minimize the negative impacts of urbanization. Thus, this work aimed to describe and compare the structure of the bird assemblage in three urban green areas in south of Brazil: two areas located in the municipality of União da Vitória, Paraná State, and one in Porto União, Santa Catarina State. Furthermore, the aim was to evaluate seasonal differences of the bird community in a biannual sample series, 2015/2016 and 2018/2019. A total of 69 species belonging to 12 orders and 26 families were recorded. Richness, abundance and density differed significantly between the two sampling periods. However, while richness was higher in 2018/2019, abundance and density had higher values in 2015/2016. There were also significant differences between the three locations studied during each season. We also recorded the presence of a worldwide threatened species, the vinaceous-breasted-parrot Amazona vinacea. Preliminarily, it is possible to suggest that urban green areas support substantial richness of birds, ensuring, even partially, the continuity of ecosystem services of these urban spaces.