Microhabitat use by three species of egret (Pelecaniformes, Ardeidae) in southern Brazil.
In the present study, we examined the role of different habitat components and their relationship with microhabitat use by three species of egret: Cocoi heron (Ardea cocoi), Great egret (Ardea alba), and Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis), in wetlands of southern Brazil. Ardea alba and A. cocoi were not habitat-specific (e.g. vegetation cover and flooding level). Conversely, B. ibis was associated with drier microhabitats. Relative air humidity and air temperature were the main variables which correlated with the occurrence of these species and supported the plasticity of B. ibis and its predominance in drier habitats.
Laboratório de Ecologia de Vertebrados Terrestres, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia de Ambientes Aquáticos Continentais, Avenida Itália, km 8, CEP 96201-900, Rio Grande, RS, Brasil.
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Pinto
Laboratório de Ecologia de Vertebrados Terrestres, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia de Ambientes Aquáticos Continentais, Avenida Itália, km 8, CEP 96201-900, Rio Grande, RS, Brasil.
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Chivittz
Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria - UFSM, Programa de Pós-graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Avenida Roraima, s/n°, CEP: 97105-900, Santa Maria, RS, Brasil.
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Bergmann
UNISINOS, Avenida Unisinos, 950, CEP 93022-000, São Leopoldo, UNISINOS, Avenida Unisinos, 950, CEP 93022-000, São Leopoldo, RS, Brasil.
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Tozetti
D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000145:classification*; D001938:Brazil; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring