Poblaciones de aves granívoras y disponibilidad de semillas en el bosque chaqueño de Chamical

Resumen

We studied the guild of seed-eating birds related to seed availability in a western Chaco habitat near Chamical, La Rioja province, Argentina. There is a strong correlation between seed density in soil and birds’ density, with a peak in autumn and winter (dry season) and minimal values in spring and summer (rain season). No correlation was found between seed species diversity and bird species diversity. It may suggest a considerable degree of overlap in food niches among bird species. A small proportion of birds ís resident. The migrant component has at least three different origins. One group comes from Patagonia, other performs altitudinal migration and the third migrates within the Chaco region. Some species beloging to the last group (specially the Columbidae) may carry out nomadic movements within the area rather than regular migrations.