').!Sea Swallow 58 (2009)
SEABIRD DIVERSITY IN BRAZIL: A REVIEW
By Caio J. Carlos
Abstract
This paper presents a review of the current knowledge on seabird diversity in Brazil. The term
'seabird' is applied ro members of the Orders Sphenisciforrnes (penguins). Procellariiformes
(albatrosses. petrels, shearwaters and allies), some Pelecaniformcs (boobies, gannets, pelicans
and frigatebirds) and some marine Charadriiforrnes (skuas, gulls. terns and skimmers). A
total or 91 species of 14 families have been confirmed in the country. Of these, 25 breed in
the country and the remaining 65 are divided into the following categories: 'Migrants from
Southern South America. sub-Antarctic or Antarctic regions· (28 spp.), 'Migrants from
Nonhern Hemisphere' (13 ssp.). and 'Vagrants (26 ssp.). Some species have two status
categories because in Brazil migrant birds overlap with resident ones. Fifty species breed on
Brazilian oceanic islands. while six have been nesting and breeding on small coastal islands
in south-east and south Brazil. Seven species breed on the continental coast or further inland.
Migrant birds include coastal (gulls and terns) and pelagic (penguins. albatrosses, petrels and
skuas) species. Coastal migrants are mainly from the Northern Hemisphere. while pelagic
ones originate from the Southern Ocean. Brazil harbours a significant diversity of seabirds
and has great responsibility
in the conservation of many species. However. there are still
few conservation programmes involving seabirds. Many islands where eabirds breed (e.g.
Fernando de Noronha Archipelago) are not adequately managed and important coastal habitats
have suffered from everal hundred years of degradation from human impacts.
Introduction
Brazil is the largest country of South America, occupying almost 50% the subcontinent's
land area. The country's coastline is c. 8.500 km-long and lies roughly between 4°N and 34°S
(Willwock 1994, Ab 'Saber 200 I; Figure I). zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCB
It contains a variety of environments including
mangrove forests, sandy beaches, and coral reefs. From a geomorphologic point of view, the
Brazilian coast can be divided into several distinct sectors, but for simplicity, here it will be
divided in an Equatorial Coa l. running from the border with French Guiana 10 Cabo de Sao
Roque (c. 5°S) in the State or Rio Grande do Norte: an Eastern Coast. from Cabo de Sao
Roque to the Staie of Santa Catarina (c.2 8°S); and a Southern Coast. including the Stare
of Rio Grande do Sul. The following lines include a brief description of the environmental
characteristics of these sectors. based on information taken from lnstituio Brasileiro de
Geogrrifia e Estatfstica ( 1977). Willwock ( 1994) and Ab' Saber (200 I J.
c__,__,_ __ _..~'--''----------'
Figure L zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUT
Map of Brazil showing coastal stares and
main oceanic currents. Abbreviations: AP-Amapa.
PA-Para, MA-Maranhiio. Pl-Piaui, Cli-Ceara, - Rio
Grande do Norte. PB-Paraiba, PE-Pernambuco.
AL-Alagoas. SE-Sergipe. BA-Bahia. ES-Espirito
Santo. RJ-Rio de Janeiro. SP-Siio Paulo, PRPararui. SC-Santa Catarina. and RS Rio Grande
do Sul. NBC-North Brazilian Current. BC- Brazil
Current, and FC-Falklancl Cu1Ten1.
17
)..{Sea Swallow 58 (2009)
The northern pan of the Equatorial Coast. between the States of Arnapa and Maranhao, has
extensive mangroves and contains the huge Amazon River estuary. In the States of Piaui, Ceara
and northern Rio Grande do None the coast is sandy with isolated lagoon and mangroves
restricted to major river mouths. The continental shelf is broad. up lo 300 km in some places,
but only 140 km in Ceara. The hydrography off Equatorial coast is determined by the Northern
Brazilian current and the Amazon River discharge (Silveira et al. 1994).
The Eastern Coast includes 10 Brazilian states. The southern limit of this region (c. 28°S)
roughly coincides with the southernmost extent or tropical ecosystems, such as mangroves.
The coast is sandy. interrupted occasionally by rocky areas, bays, lagoons and estuaries. Many
important estuarine complexes are found in the States of Parafba (Barra de Marnanguape),
Pernambuco (Canal de Santa Cruz). Bahia (Camamu and Todos os Santos bays). Rio de Janeiro
(Sepeiiba and Guanabara bays), Sao Paulo (Cananeia region), Parana (Parunagua bay) and
Santa Catarina (Babiionga bay). There are many coastal islands between 20-30°S. Off-shore.
the west-flowing South Equatorial current reaches the Brazilian coast just north or the city
of Recife (c.8°S). The current splits, with the North Brazilian Current flowing north along
the Equatorial Coast. and the Brazil Current flowing south-ward up to the Southern Coast
(Silveira zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
el zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
al. 2000). Between 5-22°S the continental shelf is narrow, 50-90 km of width,
but widens up 220 km between 24-28°S.
The Southern Coast includes (28°30' S. 34°00' S) the southern Santa Catarina and all Rio
Grande do Sul. This coast is a long (> 700 km) sandy beach inrerrupred by the mouth of
coa tal lagoons. such the 'Lagoa do Peixe and 'Lagoa dos Paios. The continental shelf
extends to 100-170 km from the coast. In the winter. the cold. northward flowing FalkJand
Current advances progressively over continental shelf'(Castello & Moeller 1977. Garcia 1998).
With such a range or different coastal and oceanic features. the Brazilian seas support a
diverse fauna. Marine fauna of Brazil have been widely studied, especially after the Brazilian
government established the 'Assessment of Living Resources in the Exclusive Economic
Zone National Programme· in 1994 (Ministerio do Meio Ambiente 2006). Knowledge of
diversity of seabirds in Brazil gained up to the 1990s have been summarized in Pinto ( 1978),
Sick ( 1997). and Vooren & Brusque ( 1999) and references cited therein. In the pre ent paper
my aim is to update this information. based mainly on my surveys in the literature. Brazilian
museum collections and fieldwork in the last six years.
There is no single and unambiguous definition of what is a ·seabird'. For some authors. this
term is applied to any species that obtain the majority of their food from coastal waters or from
the open ocean, although some restrict its use to the latter group. Here the term 'seabird' is
used taxonomically to members or the Orders Sphenisciformes (penguins), Procellariiformes
(albatrosses. petrels, shearwarers and allies), some Pelecaniforrnes (boobies. gannets, pelicans
and zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
frigatebirds) and some marine Charadriiformes (skuas. gulls, terns and skimmers).
Diversity and status of seabirds in Brazil
According to data of the most recent check-list of Brazilian birds (Brazilian Committee of
Ornithological Records 2008). a total of9 I seabird species of 14 families have been confirmed
in the country (Appendix). The most diverse family is Procellariidae (fulmars. petrels. and
shearwaters). with 25 (27%) species. followed by Stemidae (tern and noddies) with 17 zyxwvu
18
),{Sea Swallow 58 (2009)
( 18%) and Diomedeidae (albatrosses) with I 0 ( 11 %). The number of species in each family
is given in Figure 2.
Figure 2. Number of seabirds species confirmed in Brazil in each or the 14 families.
Family
Procclluriidac
Stemidae
Diomcdcidae
No. Spp.l
25
zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGF
25
17
10
Laridac
Stcrcorariidac
Hydrobatidae
R
7
5
Sphcniscidnc
4
17
10
Suiidac
4
Phncthontidae zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
Frcg:Hidrtt.'.
Pclccanoididac
Pclecanidae
Chionidae
Rhyncopidae
It should be mentioned here that species indicated as 'confirmed' are those with at least one
record in Brazil supported by tangible evidence that is available for independent verification.
namely. a whole or partial museum specimen. archived or published photographs. and video
recordings (Brazilian Committee of Ornithological
Records 2000. 2008). Species whose
presence is supported only by sight records or by unpublished or non-archived tangible
evidence are placed on a 'hypothetical list. This category currently includes five birds known
Pterodroma
in the country from only a few doubtful sight records: Black-capped Petrel zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQP
hasitata. Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii. Little Shearwater Puffinus assimilis, Bandrumped (or Madeiran) Storm-petrel Oceanodroma castro, and Antarctic Cormorant (or
Shag) Phalacrocorax bransfieldensis (Braziliun Committee of Ornithological
Records 2008).
Herc the status of a given species refers firstly to whether it breeds in the country's territory
or elsewhere. The winter ranges of some migrant species overlap with the ranges of
conspecific residents. Thus five species (Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla, Least Tern
Stemula antillarun. South American Tern Sterno hirundinacea. Sandwich Tern Thalasseus zyxwvutsr
eurygnathus. and Royal Tern T. 1110xi11111s) are placed in two Status categories. zyxwvutsrqponml
or thekjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLK
91
seabird species confirmed in Brazil, 25 breed in the country. The remaining 65 are divided
into the following categories: 'Migrants from Southern South America. sub-Antarctic
or
Antarctic regions' (28 spp.). 'Migrants from Northern Hemisphere' ( l 3 ssp.). and 'Vagrants'
(26 ssp.) (Appendix). Migrant species are those which undertake seasonal movements in
response to changes in food availability.
habitat or weather. According to criteria adopted
by Brazilian Committee of Ornithological
Records (2008), vagrant species are those 'with
apparently irregular occurrence in Brazil'. The category 'Vagrant' includes three penguins.
five albatrosses. six petrels, two storm-petrels. one diving-petrel, one tropic-bird. one pelican.
two gannets, one sheathbill, three gulls, and two terns (Appendix). For some or these birds
(e.g. Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis and Snowy Sheathbill Chinnis a/bus) Brazil is
probably an important part or their range.
19
).{Sea Swallow 58 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVU
(2009)
Breeding seabirds in Brazil
As already mentioned, 25 seabird species breed in Brazil. Among this group, the family
Sternidac is the most numerous with 12 species. There arc also three petrels. three boobies.
three frigarcbirds. four gulls. and one skimmer confirmed LO be breeding in the country
(Appendix). Nesting and breeding occur mainly on oceanic islands, but there are some species
with large colonies on coastal islands, and other on sanely beaches. lagoons and salt marshes
along the mainland coast.
Brazil has six sets or oceanic islands: Saini Peter and Saini Paul Archipelago, Rocas Atoll.
Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Abrolhos Archipelago. and Trindade and Manin Vaz
Islands. The islands' position and distance zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPON
from the coast are shown in Table I. Three petrels.
two tropicbird . three boobies. three frigatebirds, two noddles and two terns breed or formerly
bred on these i: land (Figure 3). The numberofspecies on each island group varies from four
on Saint Peter and Saint Paul to eleven on Fernando de Noronha (Alves et al. 2004. Both &
Freitas 2004. Fonseca-Neto 2004, Schulz-Neto 2004a, b: Table 2). Six birds appear in the
national list of' threatened species in Brazil (Ministerio do Meio Ambiente 2003): Trindacle
Petrel Pterodrodma arminjoniana ('Vulnerable'), Audubon's Shearwater Pt1ffi11us lherminieri
('Critically Endangered'). Red-billedTropicbird Phaethon aetltereus (·Vulnerable·). Recl-tai led
Tropicbird Plwe1'1011 lepturus. Great Frigatebird Fregata 111i11or ('Critically Endangered'). and
Lesser Frigatebird Frcgata ariel ('Critically Endangered'). Trindade Petrel is also globally
threatened (Birdl.ife International 2004).
Figure 3. Masked Booby zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDC
Sula dactylatra off Ceani, north-east Brazil; 4 September 2004. zyxwvu
Pho10: A. Campos (Aquasis).
20
)/Sea Swallow 58 (2009)
Table 1. Position. distance from the coast and area of the six sets of Brazilian oceanic islands
where seabirds are known tO breed. Data were taken from Voorcn & Brusque ( 1999).
Islands
Saint Peter and Saint Paul archipelago
Position
oo•ss-N.19°21
Distance
·w
from the coast
960 km
Rocas Atoll
crscs. 33•.io·w
2.rn km
Fernando de Noronha archipelago
03"50"S. 32•30· w
360 km
Ahrolhos archipelago
17°55'5.
Trindude Island
20°3o·s. 29•19·w
1.150 km
Manin Vaz Islands
20° IS' S. 28°55" W
1.200 Km
Table 2. Seabird species breeding on Brazilian
Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago (SPSP).
Archipelago (FN). Abrolhos Archipelago (AA).
(MV). The symbols mean: breeding not observed
was suggested, but not confirmed(?): and extinct
1
Refers to subspecies
'Refers to subspecies
3
Refers to subspecies
'Refers to subspecies
38°-lO'W
75 km
oceanic islands. The island groups arc:
Rocas Atoll (RA). Fernando de Noronha
Trindacle Island (TD). Manin Vaz Islands
so far(-): breeding confirmed r-): breeding
I]).
Phaethon acthereus aethereus:
Phaethon lepturus ascensionis:
Fregata minor nicolli:
Fregata oriel trinitatis.
Species (English
zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
/Scicnufic names)
~I\'
Sl'SI' zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcb
RA
FN
.-\.-\
Tl
zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIH
zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
?
Trindadc Petrel Ptcmdnnna {ll"IJ1i11j1111imm
Kermadec Petrel Ptemdroma neglecta
Audubon's Shearwatcr Puffinus lherminicri
Red-billed Trcpicbird Phaethon aethereus
1
zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDC
White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturm·=
Masked Booby Sula dm:rylmrn
')
Red-footed Booby Sula sula
·1·
Brown Booby
'!
S11la leucogaster
Magnificent l-rigatcbird Fregata llfag11ifitt'11.f
Great Frigaicbird
zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
Fregtnn 111ino1~~
Lesser Frigatcbird Freginu oriot'
Brown Noddy
Bruck Noddy
A11011s
?
?
stoiidns
Anoll.\' 111i1111r11.~
white Tern Gigys alba
Sooty Tern Onvchoprion fuscatus
Trindade Petrels breed on Trindade and Manin Vaz Islands (Sick 1997. Vooren & Brusque
1999). although there is no recent evidence of breeding at the latter site. Kerrnadec Petrels zyxwvutsrq
P. neglecta also nest on Trindade. where they are outnumbered by Trindade Petrels by a
proportion of 20 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
to I (I mber 2004 ). Popu la ti on ofTrindade was esti mated to be approxi mutely
21
~Sea Swallow 58 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVU
(2009)
5.000 birds in the J 990's (Fonseca-Neto 2004), but this figure includes at least 5% Kerrnadec
Petrels. Audubon Shearwater is 'Critically Endangered' in Brazil because its population is so
small. Two nesting sites are known: Morro do Leiio and Morro da Vfuva islets in Fernando do
Noronha archipelago. with 11 nests (Silva e Silva & Olmos in press): and the ltatiaia islands
on south-eastern coast (Efe & Musso 200 I; see below).
Greater and Lesser Frigatebirds are widespread in the lndo-Pacific Oceans. but Trindade
harbours the only population of these species in the Atlantic (Brooke 2004). The Atlantic
Greater Frigatebird (subspecies nicolli) was first noted in 1874. when a large number of
nesting pairs was observed on Trindade (see Murphy 1936). Later expeditions lo the island
(e.g. Novaes 1952) successfully recorded its presence. bur did not provide information on
population numbers. Olson (1981) was unable to record the bird in 1975. but thought it
could be nesting on Martin Vaz. A small colony was found in 1987-1992 and there are two
recent (year 2000) records of birds collecting nesting material. The current status in Martin
Vaz is not known. In 1994 about 100 birds were seen following a fishing boat operating near
Trindacle (Fonseca-Neto 2004). A small colony of Lesser Frigatebird (subspecies trinitatisi
with five nests was recorded at Trindade in 1975, with a total population of about 50 birds
(Olson 1981). Nesting was also observed in 1987-1992. but only five of flying birds were
seen during several field-trips in 1994-2000 (Fonseca-Neto 2004).
The taxonomic status of Trindade Greater and Lesser Frigatebirds deserves a thorough
inve ligation. Olson ( 1981) suggested that there are osteological differences between Atlantic
and Inda-Paci fie Lesser Frigatebirds. The TrindacleLesser Frigatebirds are believed to exhibit a
distinctive juvenile plumage (Olson 1981 j.As cccurred with Cape Verde KiteMilv11sfasciicc111da
( .ee Sangster 2000). the frigatebirds of Trindade may be another case or a distinct species
becoming extinct without anything being done because its taxonomic status was not resolved.
The native vegetation of Trindade Island, once dominated by dense forest . has been almost
eliminated through the combined destruction of man-made fires to open the land for failed
colonization projects, and overgrazing by inrrocluced pigs and goat (Olson 1981. FonsecaNeto 2004). Forest destruction resulted in the collapse of tree-nesting seabirds, including
Red-footed Booby Sula sula (currently extinct) and the two endemic Irigatebird subspecies.
l.n Brazil, Red-billed (subspecies aetliereus) and Wither-tailed Tropicbirds (subspecies zyxwvut
ascensionis) breed on Fernando de Noronha and Arbrolhos archipelagos (Sick 1997. Alves
er al. 2004. Schulz-Neto 2004a). Despite being national parks. both Abrolhos and Fernando
de Noronha have serious problems with introduced predators. especially rats. Apparently.
there are no plans to control introduced predators. al least in Abrolhos, despite the issue being
well-known to the Brazilian conservation agency.
A total of six seabird species have been nesting and breeding on small coastal islands in
south-east and south Brazil. roughly between 2 i-29°S (Table 3). A least 37 breeding sites
have been recorded on the coast of the States of Espirito Santo (4 sites), Rio de Janeiro zyxwvuts
(7
sites). Sao Paulo ( 15 sites). Pnrana (3 sites) and Sama Catarina (8 sites). The State of Rio
Grande do Sul in southernmost Brazil has no islands. and the alleged breeding colonies of Kelp
Gulls zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
Larus do111i11ica1111s along the tate 's coastline (Amas 1991) have never been confirmed.
For each iaxa. the number of breeding ites. in brackets. is as follows: Brown Booby Sula
leucogaster (16). Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens (10), Kelp Gull (10), South
American Tern Sterna hirundinacea ( 16), Cayenne Tern Thalasseus sandiviceusis eurvgnathus
22
),.{Sea Swallow 58 (2009)
( 16). and Royal Tern Thalasseus 111axi11111s (6) (Sick 1997, Alves et al. 2004, Branco 2004.
Campos zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
el al. 2004. Efe 2004. Krul 2004. Yorio & Efe 2008). Human disturbance can result
in an increa ed risk or egg and chick predation. nest desertion. reducing hatching success and
increased stress for the birds. Not all. ires will be used every year because birds may shift the
location of breeding colonies in response to human disturbance.
Table 3. lnshore islands where seabirds breed. or formerly bred. in south-east and south Brazil.
Species are Brown Booby 511/a le11cuga1er(BB). Magnificem Frigatebird Fregata niagnijicens
(M.F). Kelp Gull Lams do111i11icw111s (KG). South American Tern Sterna liirundinacea (SA).
Sandwich Tern Tlialasseus sandiciceusis (SD). and Royal Tern Thalasseus maxinius. The
states are: Espirito Santo (ES). Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Sao Paulo (SP), Parana (PR). and Santa
Catarina (SC). The symbols mean: breeding not observed so far(-) and breeding confirmed Ie),
Sile name
State
Location
Bil
MF
SA
KC
20°20· s. 40° 16. w
Itatinia Is.
ES
Pacoie Is.
20°21s. -10°16·w
ES
Escalvada I.
ES
20°42·s. -10°2-i·w
Branca I.
ES
2 l"O(J'S. -!0°4TW
21°oo·s. 40"-lTW
Papagaios zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
I.
RJ
Santana or Macac Archpcl.
22°2-l' s. -ll°-12' \V
RJ
21°3s·s. -11°s7·w
Lajc dos trinut-rcis I.
RJ
Guanabara Bay Is.
RJ
22°-!8' s. -!3"09' w
23•00· s. -11 °00· w
Caho Frio I.
RJ
23•02·s. -1J0nw
Cagarras I.
RJ
Redondo I.
RJ
23°0-l·s. 43°12·w
Cabra I.
SP
23"-l4'S. -l5°02·w
zvsos. -1s•o9·w
Surnitica I.
SP
Figueira I.
SP
23°55'S.4511l8"W
Cod6 l.
SP
zs-sss. -15°1 sw
Alcatrazes Archipcl.
U'06·s. -1s0-12·w
SP
Apara I.
SP
23•5os. 45•33·w
Praiuha l.
SP
23°51 S. -15°25' W
2-1°04·s. 45•39·w
Amigo I.
SP
Lnje de Sumos I.
2-1°1-1·s. -11>"11>·w
SP
2cJ022·s. 46"4s·w
Gaivoia I.
SP
2-1•14·s. 46°41 '\V
Lajc da Conceicao I.
SI'
Guarau I.
24°23·s. 46"59·w
SP
Queimada Grande I.
24"29'S. 46 41 ·w
SP
Born Abrigo l.
SP
25'1>TS. 47°51 ·w
Castilho I.
SP
25"1TS.47°57'\V
25"2'.l'S. -l8"(J2'\V
Figueira I.
PR
Currais I.
PR
25°4-l'S. -l8°22'W
ltacolnmis
Is.
PR
25°5 1 · s. 48°2-l' w
26°22'S. -19•31 ·w
Tamboretcs Archipcl.
SC
ltacolornis ls.
26°-l2'S. 48°37'\V
SC
Gale I.
SC
21°11 ·s. -18°2YW
Desena l.
27"16'S. 48°20'\V
SC
27°-18' S,-!8°3-l. \V
Cardos I.
SC
Molcqucs do Sul Is.
27"51 's. -18°26'\V
SC
2s021 ·s. -18"36·w
Fora I.
SC
Galheta I.
28"32'S. 48°.JS'W
SC
1
SD'
RT
zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
Refers to Cayenne Tern. the subspecies zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHG
Thalasseus saudicicensis eurvgruuhus.
23
)f Sea
zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDC
Swallow 58 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTS
(2009)
A small colony of Audubon's Shearwater (five nests) was observed in August 1993 on ltatiaia
ls lands. a cosral rocky archipelago in Espirito Santo (Efe & Musso 200 I). I am not aware of
rhe current status or this colony. but since the islands are protected and a permit is required
to land or secure boats, the population there has great chances lO increase or at least keep
stable. To my knowledge the Itatiaia archipelago is the southernmost nesting site of Audubon's
Shearwater in the Atlantic Ocean (cf. Brooke 2004). Also. worthy of mention is that these
islands are regarded as the largest nesting site or Cayenne Terns, where approximately l 0.00013.000 breed every year (Efe et al. 2000. Yorio & Efe 2009).
Kelp Gulls. South American Terns. Cayenne Terns and Royal Terns also breed in Uruguay
and Argentina during the austral spring and su111111er (e.g. Yorio et al. 1994, 1998, Quintana
& Yorio 1997). Based on analyses of data of seasonal abundance and plumage moult it can
be concluded that at least in southernmost Brazil. where these species do not breed. they also
occur as visitors from southern South America in austral winter months. especially May-July
(Vooren & Chiaradia 1990, Bugoni & Vooren 2005). On the other hand, populations of Brazilian
islands breed in April-August (e.g. Branco 2004. Previlltz et al. 2009). Brazilian population
stocks are certainly genetically isolated from the Uruguayan and Argentinean ones, and thus
are subject to different environmental and anthropogenic pressures.
Seven species breed on the continental coast or further inland. This group includes three
gulls. three tern . and the Black Skimmer Rhvucops niger (Table 4). In southernmost
Brazil, five species (Brown-hooded Chroicocephalus maculipennis and Grey-headed Gulls
Chroicoceplialus cirrocephalus. Trudeau's Sterno trudeaui and Yellow-billed Terns Sternula
superciliaris. and Black Skimmer) breed on marshes, river beaches and islands. and lakes, but
move to the coast during the non-breeding season (Belton 1984. Vooren zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcb
& Chiaradia 1990.
Efe el al. 200 I). In the same region. a mixed colony with a few pairs of Large-billed Phaetusa
simplex, Gull-billed Gelochelidon nilotica. and Yellow-bi I led Terns Sternu!a superciliaris were
observed once at Lagoa do Peixe National Park in early November 1986 (Auras 1991 ). I spent
two years (2005-2006) working in this Park. but was unable 10 record any breeding activity
of these species. However, I observed juvenile Large-billed Terns being fed by adults on I
April 2006 (C.J. Carlos & C.E. Fedrizzi, unpubl. data), suggesting that at least this species
still breeds there or on nearby areas.
In other regions of the country, like the Amazon basin, Large-billed, Yellow-billed Terns
and Black Skimmers breed in loose groups on sandbanks and sandy beaches of major rivers
(Sick 1997). lam not aware of any published information about breeding of these species on
coastal areas outside Rio Grande do Sul, but it may also occuron coastal marshes, lagoons and
sandbars of the northern and north-eastern region. as previously suggested by Antas ( 1991 ).
Grey-headed Gulls (Figure4) and Gull-billed Terns are reported to breed between April-June
on salt pans on the northern coast of the State of Rio Grande do Norte (Azevedo-Junior zyxwvutsrqpon
et al.
2004 ). Mangroves and salt-works are a conspicuous feature on the northern coast or the States
of Rio Grande None and Ceara. The shallow tanks support large biomass of Brine shrimps zyxwvuts
(Anemia sp.), which serves as food for waterbirds (especially shorebirds), while sandbanks
amidst the ponds provide nesting and roosting ues.
24
~Sea Swallow 58 (2009)
Table 4. Seabird species breeding on the continental coast or inland ecosystems of Brazil.
The states are: Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Bahia (BA). Rio Grande do Norte (RN). Maranhao
(MA), Para (PA). and Arnapa (AP). The symbols mean: breeding not observed so Iart-):
breeding confinned P); breeding was suggested, but not confirrned I").
Species (English/Scit.'.ntific
names)
Brown-hooded Gull Chroicoceplutlns snacnlipennis
RS
M
RN
CE
MA
I'(
PA
AP
zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
•)
Grey-headed Gull Chroiroccphalns rirmrephulus
Laughing Gull zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
L1·11co11fuwm utririltu
?
?
Least Tern Stcrnutn wail/anm
')
•)
·1
Yellow-billed Tern Sternnla superdliaris
?
·1
?
t
•7
°)
')
')
')
')
Large-hilled Tern Phnetnsa simplex
?
Gull-billccJ Tl.'rn Grlocbelidon nihnicu
Snowy-crowned Tern Sterno trndenui
?
?
')
')
? zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfe
'?
Olad .. Skimmer Nhyr1c·o11., ni~er
Unril very recently. Laughing Gull l.eucophaeus atricilla (Figure 5) and Least Tern Steniu!a
antillarum were considered to be migrants from North America (Sick 1997. Vooren & Brusque
1999). However. these two seabirds were found breeding on sandy beaches on the northern
Brazilian coast (Rodrigues 2008. A.A.F. Rodrigues pers. comm.). Breeding
Laughing Gull
and Least Tern is also likely to occur on lagoons and associated swamps in coastal areas of
Piaui-Ceara, but this needs more fieldwork. Although Brazil harbours breeding populations
of Laughing Gull and Least Tern. a few birds ringed in North America have been recovered
in the country (Olmos 2002a). thus indicating that migrant birds mix with resident ones at
least on the northern and north-eastern coasts.
or
Figure 4. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
Grey-headed Gull zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDC
Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus, Rio Grande do Norte. northeast Brazil. 25 February 2005. Photo: zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONML
C. Albano. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHG
25
).f Sea Swallow 58 (2009)
Figure 5. Laughing Gulls Leucophaeus atricilla and one Large-billed Tern Pltaetusa
simplex, Maranhao, north Brazil, February 2007. Pharo: F. Olmos.
Non-breeding seabirds in Brazil. Non-breeding seabirds in Brazil (both migratory and
vagrants) comprise 67 species. This group includes four penguins (three arc vagrants). I 0
albatrosses (five vagrants), 20 petrels (five vagrants). three storm-petrels (two vagrants), one
vagrant diving-petrel. one vagrant tropicbird. one vagrant pelican, two vagrant gannets, one
vagrant sheath bill, six skuas, five gulls (three vagrants), and six terns (two vagrants). Twentyeight migrant species originate from the Southern South America, sub-Antarctic islands and
the Antarctic continent. and 13 from the North Hemisphere.
Migratory seabirds can be divided into coastal and pelagic species. Costa! species are mainly
tern and gulls, while pelagic ones are albatrosses, pen-els and skuas. Coastal migrants are:
Laughing Gull. Olrogs Gull Lams atlanticus. Least Tern. Common Tern Stema hirundo, and
Roseate Tern S. dougallii, All but Olrogs Gull are migrants from North America. Laughing
Gulls and Least Terns are abundant on the northern and north-eastern coasts zyxwvutsrqponm
(Rodrigues
2008, Girao er al. 2008. C. .I.zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJI
Carlos unpubl. data), but most bircls seen there arc likely to be
Kelp Gulls, South American Terns, Cayenne Terns, and Royal Terns
breeding populations.
breed in Brazil. but birds from Uruguay/Argentina migrate to southern Brazil in the winter.
Large flocks ( 12.000-14.000
birds) of Common Terns (Figure 6) have been recorded in
Lagoa do Peixe National Park (31 °14· S. 51 °00'W) in the extreme south of the country (e.g.
Harington zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
er al. 1986. Lara-Resende 1988). This species also concentrates along other parts
of the Brazilian coa t, generally near food-rich wetland areas. Until recently, the wintering
grounds of North-American Roseate Terns were virtually unknown. However, the combined
workofBrazilian and American ornithologists (e.g. Hays et al. 1997. 1999. Lima er al. 2006).
identified Manguc Scco (I l 27'S, 37"27'W) in the State of Bahia as an important site for
0
26
'.:{f Sea
zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
Swallow 58 (2009)
this species. Common Terns also concentrate abundantly at this point. Surprisingly. part of
the Common Tern population from the Azores archipelago in the North Atlantic winters in
Mangue Seco. thus making transatlantic migration (Hays el al. 1997, 1999).
Figure 6. Common Tern S1er11a hirunrlo, Rin Grande do None. north-east Brazil. 22
October 2005. Pho10: C. Albano.
Most pelagic migrants (78%) are from the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions. This group
includes one penguin. five albatrosses. 12 petrels. one storm-petrel. and three skuas. Only six
pelagic migrants (Cory's Shearwaier Calonectrts borealis. Cape Verde Shearwater C. edwardsii.
Manx Shearwaier P11ffi1111sp11fji1111.1·. Leach's Storm-petrel zyxwvutsrqponml
Oceanodroma
kjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
lcucorhoa. Great Skua
Siercorarius skua, and Arctic Tern Sterno paradisea) come from the Northern Hemisphere.
The sources of some pelagic migratory species are easy to identify. For example, Tristan
Albatross zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
Dioiuedea dabbeuena and Spectacle Petrels Procellaria conspicillata breed
respectively on Gough and Inaccessible Islands. both in the South Atlantic. The two species are
common visitors in winter to zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDC
off-shore waters or south-east and south Brazil (Neves & Olmos
200 I. Olmos 1997. 200 I, Denes et al. 2007). Other species (e.g. Giant Petrels Macronectes
spp.) have many breeding sites and birds found in Brazil may come from different breeding
populations. as shown by ring recoveries (Olmos 2002a).
In the South Atlantic and adjacent Southern Ocean. pelagic seabirds (penguins. petrels. and
skuas) breed on four major regions. based on geographical proximity and similarities of the
avifauna: (I) Southern Patagonia/Falkland Islands. (2) South Georgia/South Orkneys/South
Sandwich Islands. (3) Tristan da Cunha/Gough Islands. and (4) the Antarctic Peninsula
and continent (Table 5). The number of seabird species occurring habitually (excluding the
vagrants) in each of these regions is as follows: S. Patagonia/Falkland ls. (10 out of 18 spp.),
27
)..{Sea Swallow 58 (2009)
S. Georgia/South Orkneys/South Sandwich ls. ( 11 out of 21 spp.). Tristan da Cunha/Gough
Is. (8 out or 15 spp.). Antarctic Peninsula and continent (8 out of 18 spp.). (Table 5) Among
the group or pelagic migrants from the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic, only one species. the
Southern Royal Albatross Diomedca epotuophora, breeds outside of Atlantic Ocean. This
species breeds in New Zealand, but non-breeding birds forage on the west and east coast
South America (Marchant & Higgins 1990, Brooke 2004).
Table 5. Number of pelagic seabird species breeding on Southern Patagonia/Falkland Is.
(SPF). South Georgia/South Orkneys/South Sandwich Is (SGOS). Tristan da Cunha/Gough
ls. (TCG). and Antarctic Peninsula and continent (APC) regions. and their status in Brazil:
VA - Vagrants. MS - Migrants from Southern South America. sub-Antarctic and Antarctic
regions. The symbols mean: breeding not observed so fart-): breeding confirmed (•).
Species (English/scil'nlilk
names)
Status
King Penguin Apteuodytes patagonicus
Sl'F
SGOS
TCC
Al'C
VA
Emperor Penguin Aptenodvtes jorsteri
Gcmoo Penguin t'vgoscetts pupua
Chinxrrnp Penguin l'yga.\'C't'ii., cntarvttcus
Magellanic Penguin Snheniscus 11wgt•!/o11ic11.\
MS
Macaroni Penguin Endyptcs chrvsotophus
VA
Rockhopper Penguin
VA
Endvptes chrysocome
Sooty Albatmvv Phncbetriu [uscn
Light-rnamlcd
Albatross
\I-\
VA
Phoebotria palpcbrntu
Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross Thotossorcti- rhlororhvnchos
MS
Black-brewed Albatross Thotassarcho 111ela11011hris
MS
Grey-headed Albatros« Thatassarche ctnvsossomo
VA
Southern Giam-Pctrcl
MS
Macronectes gigu111eu.\
Northern Giant-Petrel Mucronectes ltalli
~IS
Southern Fulmur Fnltnarus gluciatoides
MS
Antarctic Petrel lbntassoica antarctica
Cape Petrel 1Ja111im1 capense
MS
Snow Petrel Pagodrmnu 111\'eu
Kerguclcn Petrel l.ngensu brevimstris
VA
Soft-plumaged Petrel Pterodonna mollls
MS
Atlantic Petrel Pterodromu incena
~IS
Great-winged
V,\
zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCB
Petrel Ptenrdnnnn 111twm111cm
Blue Petrel Hatobacna cucmteu
MS
Fairy Prion Pachyp1ila 111rr11r
zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
VA
Broad-billed Priori Pachvptilu viuoto
28
')f Sea Swallow 58 (2009)
Antarctic Prion Puchvptila desokua
MS
Slender-billed Priou l1i1ch,r1ui/a helrhrri
~IS
Grey Petrel t'raccllnria d111'r1·11
V,\
White-chinned
~IS
Petrel Prucelluria urquinoctiulis
Spectacled Petrel Procelloria co11.r11icillaro
MS
Soory Shcmwatcr Puffinus griseus
MS
P11Jji1111s grm·i,
MS
Greater Shcnrwarcr
Little Shcarwater /111/jinus assisnilis'
~IS
White-bellied Sturm-Petre! Fngenn grulluria
Black-bellied Storm-Petrel Fregettu t nrpica
VA
Wilson's Stonu-I'crrcl
MS
Oceonites ocoanicus
White-faced Storm-Petrel Pelngndnnnu
ntnrina-
VA
Common Diving-Petrel Pelecnuoidrv urinauis
South Georgia Diving-Petrel
Pelecanoides georgicns
Magellanic Diving-Petrel l'eiecunoides mugellani
Chilean Skua
Vt\
zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGF
tvlS
St( n·omri11.'i rhileusis
1
South Polar Sku:t Stcrcorarius mnccnrmicki
MS
zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCB
MS
Southern Skua Stercorarius <mtarcticus
'Species currently placed on the Hypothetical List:
The single Brazilian specimen refers to subspecies P
Canario · archipelagos in North Atlantic.
1
111.
hvpoleuca from Madeira and
Antarctic and sub-Antarctic migrants. especially those from Tristan da Cunha/Gough and
Patagonia/Falkland Is .. have in the Brazilian waters between 23-34°S. one of their main
feeding grounds (e.g. Vooren & Brusque 1999. Carlos 2006). Spectacled Petrels of Tristan da
Cunha (Figure 7) disperse to the waters off south-east and south Brazil (Olmos 1997. Neves zyxwvutsrq
et al. 2006). with relatively small numbers recorded off the west coast of southern Africa
(Carnphuysen & Van Der Meer 2000). The Falkland Islands hold over three quarters of the
world population of Bluck-browed Albatross T. melanopluis (Gales 1998). After breeding.
birds from the Falklands winter on the Patagonian Shelf. but immature birds forage mainly
in Brazilian waters (Olmos 1997. Carlos 2006. Neves et al. 2006).
Pelagic migrants from the zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCB
lorthern Hemisphere nest on islands roughly located between
Iceland (c. 60°N) and Cape Verde archipelago (c. I 5°N). Two species are common and
abundant off Brazil: Cory's and Manx Shearwaiers. Cory's Shearwarer breeds on the Azores
Canary Islands. and the Madeira group and is known to migrate across the Atlantic towards
waters off southern Brazi I. Uruguay and Argentina (Cooke & Mills 1977. Brooke 2004) The
species mainly occurs in eastern Brazil during the summer and autumn, January-May, but
there are several winter (July) records. Manx Shearwaier are more abundant off eastern Brazil
in spring. October-November. while en route to their wintering quarters off Southern South zyxwvuts
29
¥Sea Swallow 58 (2009)
America (Brooke 1990, 2004). Until very recently, Cape Verde Shearwaters were known in
Brazil from a handful or sight records and museum specimens (Petry el al. 2000. Lima el
al. 2002. Olmos 2002d). However, recent at sea observations and beach surveys have shown
that this species is a regular visitor to off-shore waters of eastern Brazil. in a pattern similar
to that described for Cory's Shearwarers (Olmos & Bugoni 2006. C. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfe
J. Carlos. L. Bugoni &
C. E. Fedrizzi in prep.). Leach's Storm-petrels are frequent seen in off-shore waters of northeastern Brazil in the summer, January-March.
Twenty-six species are currently considered as vagrants to Brazil. most of which are from
the sub-Antarctic and Antarctic regions. One species. White-faced Storm-petrel Pelagodroma
marina. breeds on islands of the North and South Atlantic (Marchall! zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYX
& Higgins 1990. Brooke
2004 ). but according to Lima zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFED
el al. (2002) the single Brazilian specimen refers to the subspecies
hvpoleuca of Madeira and Canaries archipelugos.
Figure 7. Tristan Albatross zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
Diomedea dabbeuena. Spectacled Petrels Procellaria cotispicillata and other seabirds off Santa Catarina. southern Brazil: August 1999. Photo: F. Olmos.
Discussion
Beside harbouring several seabird breeding colonies. Brazil is vi sired by many species from
both the Northern Hemisphere ancl Southern Ocean and Antarctic region. However, what the
numbers presented in this work really mean in relation to the seabird diversity in the Atlantic
and world-wide? In order to make an assessment of the relative importance of Brazil to
seabirds. l will compare the number of procellariiforms in the country with the number of
species in the world and the number of species breeding on the Atlantic Ocean (Marchant &
Higgins 1990. Brooke 2004). The reason why I choose the procellariiforrns for chis analysis
is because they are the most species-rich order of seabirds (e.g. Brooke 200 I, 2004). zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWV
30
)/Sea Swallow 58 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUT
(2009)
As shown before. 40 species of albatrosses and petrels have at least one documented record
from Brazil. It corresponds to 32.8% of" the world's diversity of procellnriiforrns ( 125 spp.:
Brooke 200 I. 2004). This number of species is significant because the Economic Exclusive
Zone or Brazil. with 4.5 million km: (Brazilian Continental Shell" Survey Project 2004).
covers only a small fraction ( 1.2%) of the surface area (361 million km ') or all oceans. Of
course, not all species are common and abundant in Brazil According to the check-list of the
Brazilian Commiuee of Ornithological Rrecords (2008). 13 (26.5%) procellariiform species
are vagrants to the country. However. only recently the status or many seabirds has become
belier known. and species once considered merely as rare or accidentals in Brazi I (e.g. Tristan
Albatross. Spectacled Petrel, and Nonhern Gian! Petrels Macronectes lialli. Pornurine Skua
Stercorarius fHJ111ari1111s) are indeed regular members of the countrys avifuuna (Manuscelli
el al. 1995. Olmos 1997. 2000. 2002c. Neves & Olmos 200 I. Bugoni et al. 2003. Carlos et
al. 2005. Denes et al. 2007).
Fi tty-one species of albatrosses and petrels breed on i lands distributed from the Nonh Atlantic
to Antarctic region, 36 (70.6%) of which have been confirmed in Brazil. This percentage speaks
for itself and does not require any explanation. Most species without Brazilian records either
migrate to waters off western and southern Africa (e.g. European Storm-petrel Hydrobates
pelagirns) or tend to feed inshore and rarely disperse far from their breeding colonies. e.g.
Diving Petrels Pelecauoides spp. (Marchant & Higgins 1990. Brooke 2004). For other
species, like Black-capped Petrel which now breeds in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
the Brazilian records should still be confirmed by tangible evidence (Brazilian Committee of
Ornithological Records 2000. 2008). Wonh of mention is that Brazil holds the only breeding
colony of Trindade and Kennadec Petrels in the Atlantic. A gadfly petrel species breeding
on Round Island in the Indian Ocean may refer to Trindade or Herald Petrels Pterodrotna
heraldica (Brooke et al. 2000). Depending on the taxonomic status of birds from Round
Island, Trinclade may be the only site of the world where Trindade Petrels breed.
In my comparisons. I did not include five species that do 1101 breed in the Atlantic. but occur in
Brazil. namely. Southern Royal Albatross zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJI
Diomedea epomophora, Northern Royal Albatross
D. sanfordi. Shy Albatross Tlialassarce cauta. While-headed Petrel Pterorlronia lessonii and
Shon-tailed Shcarwatcr P1([fi1111.1· tenuirostris. Southern Royal Albatross is a regular visitor in
winier 10 waters off south-east and south Brazil. and the same is probably true for Nonhern
Royal and Shy Albatrosses (Petry zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJI
e1 al. 1991.
Olmos 2002b, Carlos et al. 2004. Lima et al.
2004. Denes er al. 2007).
The analysis above, although simple, dernonsurues clearly that Braziliun waters are important
not only for Atlantic and Antarctic seabirds but also for birds from distant lands like Australia
and New Zealand. Here seabird species find suitable areas LO forage along the coastline and
inshore and off-shore waters, and many sites for nesting.
Seabirds evolved 10 exploit zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFE
different rood resources in the world's oceans. Therefore. species
tend to concentrate in areas ofhigh biological production in temperate-polar latitude waters or
areas of cold. per istent boundary currents flowing toward the equator, such as the Benguela
in Africa and the Humboldt of western South America (Murphy 1936. Warhan 1990. Brooke
2004). Oceanographic conditions off Brazilian coast during most of the year are greatly
31
).f Sea
zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
Swallow 58 (2009)
zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWV
influenced by the warm South Equatorial and Brazil currents, thus resuuinz in waters of
relatively low productivity (Longhurst & Pauly J 987).
In the winier. strong southerly winds blow along the coast of South Brazil. As a result. the
cold and nutrient rich Falkland current extends northward and dominates waters off south
Brazil (Castello & Moeller 1977. Garcia 1998). but nm infrequently it reaches as far north
as 23°S in the south-east (Campos er al. 1996). This phenomenon. associate with discharse
of La Plata River and Patos Lagoon system. causes an increase or the biological production
and a rapid influx or Antarctic and sub-Antarctic organisms. including seabirds, in the shell'
waters or southern Brazil (e.g. Murphy 1936. Palacio 1982, Carlos 2006). This explains why
th.is region contains the highest number of seabird species. and the largest breeding colonies.
Breeding of seabirds of inshore islands of south-east and south Brazil occurs mainly in the
winter at a time when there is much food available in the environment.
North of23°S, biological productivity is linked 10 the discharge of major rivers and lagoons.
Several estuaries are located along the Brazilian coastline and coastal ecosystems associated
to them (mangroves, sandy beaches. etc.) provide habitats to seabirds. Important areas include.
for example. the huge Amazon River estuary. mouth of Parnaiba and Sao Francisco Rivers.
and the lguape-Cananeia-Parunagua Estuary. Lota! upwellings foster fish populations in
north-cast and south-east Brazil and around oceanic islands and seamounds (Longhurst &
Pauly 1987). including Saint Peter and Saint Paul and Fernando de Noronha Archipelagos and
Trindade Island. All are important for seabirds, especially the tropical species (eg Figatebirds
and Bobbies). and some probably support the large concentrations of migram species like terns.
Seabirds spend most of their life at sea. often foraging far away from their nesting sites. Other
species undertake long-distance migrations over thousands of kilometers.While foraging and/
or migrating seabirds are at risk of being killed by fisheries and affected by oil spills and other
pollution. Longline fisheries operating off south Brazil are known to kill many threatened
species. such as Wandering. Tristan. Black-brewed and Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatrosses. The
observed population decline of' these species is mainly a result of heavy incidental mortality
in long line fisheries (Neves & Olmos 1998. Olmos zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQP
el al. 200 I. Neves er al. 2007), and the
Brazilian fishing fleet has it share in this decline. Coruinuing loss and degradation of coastal
habitats has direct impacts on seabirds. especially long-distance migrants like Common and
Roseate Tern . On islands. alien invasive species. notably rats. prey mainly upon seabird
eggs and chicks. thus reducing seabird population abundance. This is a serious problem on
the main island of Fernando de Noronha where rats. cats. dogs and Tegu Lizards prey on
ground-nesting seabirds and their eggs.
Brazil has a great responsibility in the conservation or many seabird species from different
geographical regions. However. there are still few conservation programmes involving this
group of birds in the country. ln June 2006. the Brazilian government launched. with support
ofBirdLi fe International. a national action plan for the conservation of albatrosses and petrels.
aiming zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
10 protect nesting sites or resident proccllari i terms anti implement actions 10 reduce the
incidental catch of seabirds by the longl.ines (Neves zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPO
et al. 2006). More recently. the Brazilian
Ministry or Environment has recently launched a committee to develop. up 10 the encl of 2009.
a conservation plan for the threatened non-Procellariforrnes seabirds occurring in Brazilian
waters. Species included are: the two Red-billed and White-tailed Tropicbirds, Greater and
Lesser Frigatcbirds. and Cayenne and Royal Terns.
32
),f Sea Swallow 58 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVU
(2009)
The challenge of seabird conservation in Brazil is even greater because many islands where
seabirds breed are not adequately protected. and important coastal habitats (e.g. mangroves.
saltmarshes. dunes. lagoons. and sandy beaches) have suffered from several hundred years
or degradation from human impacts. Most negative coastal and estuarine habitat impacts
are the result of coastal development. as residential. commercial and industrial land use in
coastal areas has intensified.
Acknowledgments
I thank C. M. vooren, my former advisor. for sharing with me with me his broad knowledge of
Brazilian seabirds. I am also grateful to F. Olmos. C. Albano and A. Campos for allowing me
to use their great photographs. The typescript benefited from input of C. E. Fedrizzi and the
editorial advice or G. Lewis. S. M. Azevedo-Junior ( UFPE). P. Lima (MCNC). L. F. Silveira
(MZUSP). J.M. R. Soto (MOVI) and C. M. Voorcm (FUEG) kindly allowed me lo examine
specimens under their care. In 2004-2006 my studies was supported by the Coordcnaciio de
Aperleicoamenro de Pessoa! de Nivel Superior (CAPES). Brazil.
References
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Caio ,J. Carlos
Rua Mario Damiani Panatta 680, zyxwvutsrqpon
Cinquentenario,
95013-290,
Caxias do Sul, RS, Brazil
E-mail: macronectest@yahoo.co.uk
39
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Appendix zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
1. Check-list of seabirds species confirmed in Brazil. Taxonomy and species sequence follow the Brazilian Commiuee of Ornithological Records (2008). Status refers to
whether species breed in the country or elsewhere: Breeding in the country (13): Migrant
from the Southern South America, sub-Antarctic islands and the Antarctic continent (MS):
Migrant from the North hemisphere (MN): and Vagrant (V) species with apparently irregular occurrence in Brazil. Museum collections housing voucher specimens documenting the
occurrence of the various species are: MPEG - Museu Paraense Emilio Goledi (Belem).
UFPE - Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (Recife). MCNC - Muscu de Ciencias Naiurais da CETREL (Carnacari). MNRJ - Museu Nacional/Universidadc
Federal do Rio de
Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro). MZUSP · Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo (Sao
Paulo). UFSC - Universidade Federal de Sanra Catarina (Florian6polis): MOYl . Museu
Oceanografico da Univerisade do Yale do Itajaf, MCN-FZB - Museu de Ciencias Naturals da
Fundacao Zoobotanica do Rio Grande do Sul (Pono Alegre), UNISlNOS - Universidade do
Yale do Rio dos Sinos (Sao Leopoldo). UFPel - Universidude Federal de Pelotas (Peloras).
FURG - Fundacfio Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG). BMNH - Natural History
Museum (Tring), USNM - United States National Museum. Smithsonian Insrirurion (Washington. DC).
Order SPHENISCIFORMES
Family SPHENISCIOAE (4 spp.)
King Penguin Aptenodyies patagonicns (VA): MNRJ
Magellanic Penguin Spheniscus magcllanicus (MS): UFPE, MCNC, MNRJ. MZUSP, MOVL FURG
Macaroni Penguin Eudvptes chrvsoiophus (VA): MZUSP
Rockhopper Penguin Eudyptes chrvsocome (VA): MCN-FZB. UFPel. FURG
Order PROCELLARUFORMES
Family DIOMEDEIDAE (10 spp.)
Sooty Albatross Phoebetria fusca (VA): MCNC, MZUSP. MOVI. FURG
Light-mantled Albatross Phoebetria palpebrata (VA): MCNC. MZUSP
Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche chlororhynchos (MS): UFPE. MCNC, MNRJ. MZUSP.
MOVI. FURG
Black-brewed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris (MS): MCNC. MNRJ. MZUSP. MOVI. FURG
Grey-headed Albatross Thalassarche chrvsostoma (VA): MNRJ. MZUSP
Shy Albatross Thalassarche cauta (VA): MCNC. MNRJ. MOVI
Southern Royal Albatross Diomedea epomophora (MS); MNRJ. MZUSP. UNISINOS. FURG
Northern Royal Albatross Diomedea sanfordi (VA); FURG
Wandering Albatross Diomedea ex11/c111s (MS): MOVI
Tristan Albatross Diomedea dabbenena (MS): MZUSP. MOY!. FURG
Family PROCELLARJIDAE (25 spp.)
Southern Giant-Petrel zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
Macronectes giganteus (MS); MNRJ. MZUSP. MOVI, FURG
Northern Giant-Petrel Macronectes ha/Ii (MS): MZUSP. FURG
Southern Fulrnar F11/111arus glacialoides (MS): UFPE. MCNC. MNRJ, MZUSP. MOVI. FURG
Cape Petrel Daption capense (!VIS): MCNC. MNRJ. MZUSP. MOY!. FURG
Kcrguclen Petrel zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
L11ge11sa brevirostris (VA): MCNC. MNRJ, FURG
Soft-plumaged Petrel Pterodroma 1110//is (MS): MCNC. MZUSP. MOVI, FURG
Atlantic Petrel Pterodonna incerta (MS); MCNC, MNRJ, MZUSP. MOVI. FURG
White-headed Petrel Pterodrotna lessonii (VA): UFSC
Kerrnadec Petrel Pterodroma neglecta (BJ: USNM
Great-winged Petrel Pterodroma macroptera (VA): FURG
44
).{Sea Swallow 58 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVU
(2009)
Trindade Petrel Pterodronia ar111i11jo11ia11a (BJ: MNRJ
Blue Petrel Halobaena caerulea (MS): MNRJ. UNTS!NOS
Broad-billed Prion Pachyptila viuata (VA): FURG
Antarctic Prion Pacliyptilo desolata (MS): IVIPEG. UFPE. MCNC. MNRJ. MZUSP. FURG
Slender-billed Priem Pachvptila belcheri (MS): MCNC. MNR.J. MZUSP, FURG
Grey Petrel Procellaria cinerea (VA): MCNC. FURG
White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis (MS): IVICNC. MNRJ. MZUSP. MOY!. FURG
Spectacled Petrel Procellaria conspicillata (!VIS): MZUSP. MOY!. FURG
Cory's Shcarwaicr C11!011ec:1ri.1· zyxwvutsrqponml
borealiskjih(MN):
gfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
UFPE, MCNC. MNRJ. MZUSP. MOVI. FURG
Cape Verde Shcarwaier C11/1111ec1ris edwtulrsii (MN): UFPE. MZUSP. UNISINOS
Sooty Sheurwatcr 1'11ffi1111s griseus (MS): MCNC. MNRJ. MZUSP. FURG
Short-tailed Shearwarer P11ff11111s tenuirostris (VA): single Brazilian specimen deposited in a private
collection
Greater Shearwaier l'ufji1111s i;ra1•is (MS): UFPE. MCNC. MNRJ. MZUSP, MOVI. FURG
Manx Shcarwaier Pl(fft1111s f"(f.li11us (MN): UFPE. MCNC. MNRJ. MZUSP. ivlQVI. FURG
Audubon's Shcurwaier P11[fi1111.1· lherminieri (B): MNRJ. MZUSP
Family HYDROBATIDAE (5 spp.)
White-bellied Storm-Petrel Fregetta grallaria (MS): Published photographs
Black-bellied Storm-Petrel Fregetta tropica (VA): IVICNC. BMNH
Wilson's Storm-Petrel Ocea11i11•.1· oceanicus (MS): MCNC, MNRJ, MZUSP. FURG
White-faced Stenn-Petrel Pelugodrorna 11wri1111 (VA): MCNC
Leach's Sturm-Petrel Occanodroma leucorlioa (MN): MPEG. MCNC. MNRJ. IVIZUSP
Family PELECANOIDlDAE (I sp.)
Magellanic Diving-Petrel Pelecanoides nieagellani (VA): FURG
Order PELECANIFORMES
Family PHAETHONTIDAE (3spp.)
Red-billed Tropicbird Ph11e1ho11 aethereus (B): MNRJ, MZUSP
Red-tailed Tropicbircl Plwe1/1011 rubricauda (VA): Published photographs
White-tailed Tropicbircl Phaethon lepturus (B): MNRJ. MZUSP
Family PELECANrnAE (I sp.)
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis (VA): MPEG
Family SUUDAE (5 spp.)
Cape Gannet Moms capensis (VA): Published photographs
Australian Gannet Moms serrator (VA): MNRJ
Masked Booby Sula dactvlatra (B): UFPE. MCNC. Ml\l"RJ. MZUSP
Red-footed Booby Sula sula (B): MNRJ
Brown Booby S11/a leucogaster (B): UFPE. MCNC, MNRJ. MZUSP
Family FREGATlDAE (3 spp.)
Magnificent Frigarebird
Fregata magnificens (B): UFPE. MNRJ. MZUSP. MOY!. FURG
Great Frigntcbird Frega111111i11or (B): MNR.I
Lesser Frigatebird Fregata oriel (13): MNRJ
Family CHIONlDAE (I zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
sp.)
Snowy Shcathbill Chinnis a/bus (VA); FURG
Family STERCORARIIDAE (7 spp.)
Great Skua zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
Stercorarius skua (MN): iv!PEG
45
)f Sea Swallow
zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONML
58 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWV
(2009)
Franklin's Gull
Latus pipixcan. Arica. Chile. 24 November 2004.
Pho10: Neil Cheshire.
Chilean Skua Stercorarius chilensis (MS): MCNC. MNRJ. FURG. BMNH
South Polar Skua Stercorarius macconnicki (MS): UFPE. MCNC. MNRJ
Southern Skua Stercorarius antarcticus (MS): MCNC. MCN-FZB, FURG
Pomarinc Jaeger Stercorarius po111ari1111s (1vlN): MC 1C. MZUSP. UNISJNOS
Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus (MN): MCNC. MZUSP. FURG
Long-tailed Jaeger Stcrcorarius /011gica11d11s (MN): MCNC. MZUSP. FURG
Family LARI DAE (8 spp.)
Brown-hooded Gull Chroicocephulus 111ac11/ipe1111is (B): MOY!. FURG
Grey-headed Gull Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus (B}: Published photographs
Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla (BfMN); Published photographs
Franklin's Gull Leucophueus pipixran (VA): Published photographs
Olrogs Gull Latus a1/a111ic11s (MS): Published photographs
Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis (VA): Published photographs
Kelp Gull Lams do111i11ica1111s (B/MS): MNRJ, MZUSP, MOVL FUHG
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus (YA); Published photographs
Family STERNLDAE (17 spp.)
Brown loddy zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
A11011s stolidns (B): MCNC. MNRJ. MZUSP. MCN-PZB. FURG
Black Noddy A11ot1s 111i1111111s (B): MPEG. MNRJ. i'VIZUSP
White Tern Gygis alba (BJ: MNRJ. MZUSP
Sooty Tern Onvchoprion fuscutus (B): MNR.I. MCNC. MZUSP
Least Tern Sternula a111illan1111 (B/lvfN): Published photographs
Yellow-billed Tern S1em11/a snperciliaris (BJ: MPEG. MZUSP. FCRG
Large-billed Tern Plutctusa si111J1/cx <BJ: MPEG. MNR.I. MZUSP
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica (13): MZUSP
Black Tern Clilidonias niger (\IA): Published photographs
Common Tern Sterno liirundo (i'vl'-1): MPEG. UFPE. MCNC. MZUSP. MOVI, FURG
Roseate Tern Sterno dougallii (MN); UFPE. MCNC. MZUSP
Arctic Tern Sterno paradisnea (MN): MC C. MNR.I
South American Tern Sterno hirnndinttcea (B/MS): MZUSP. FURG
Antarctic Tern Sterno vinata (Yi\): MNRJ
Trudeau's Tern S1er11a trudeaui (B): FURG
Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis (B/MS): MCNC. MNRJ. MZUSP. FURG
Royal Tern Tlialasseus 111a.ri111us (BfMS): FURG
Family RHYNCOPIDAE zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
(l sp.)
Black Skimmer zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
Rhvncops niger ( B): UFPE. MZUSP. FURG zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXW
46