Marilu de Noronha

Parque Estadual dos Três Picos (PETP), situated in the centre of Rio de Janeiro state (encompassing parts of the municipalities of Teresópolis, Guapimirim, Cachoeiras de Macacu, Nova Friburgo and Silva Jardim), is currently the state's largest environmental conservation unit occupying 58,000 ha. PETP is named after the Três Picos mountains located on the Teresópolis / Nova Friburgo border, a majestic assemblage of three granitic peaks reaching c.2,350 m. Since its creation in 2002, the PETP protects one of the largest and most important forested areas in Rio de Janeiro, guaranteeing the preservation of the headwaters that supply water to the cities adjacent to the park. The present study provides an inventory of the bird species found in the PETP and adjacent areas, as well as a basis for the conservation policies required to preserve the natural resources of this important remnant of Atlantic Forest in southeast Brazil.