Birds of the Butiá (Butia odorata) palm forest in Uruguay: five years of sampling data

Abstract

This research describes the bird community inhabiting the Butiá (Butia odorata) palm forest in Rocha, Uruguay, a unique ecosystem of significant landscape, ecological, and cultural value. During the study period, from October 2018 to May 2023, various sampling techniques were used, such as point counts, transects, and trail cameras, to gather information about the bird species inhabiting the ecosystem. These methodologies allowed the identification of 86 bird species, classified into 19 orders and 36 families. Among the most abundant species recorded through point counts and transects were Furnarius rufus, Myiopsitta monachus, Pygochelidon cyanoleuca, and Sicalis flaveola, while the species that exhibited the highest interactions with Butiá in trail cameras were Rhea americana, F. rufus, and S. flaveola. The data is accessible in the GBIF repository (https://doi.org/10.15468/qpmyd8), enabling analysis of the taxonomic composition, temporal variability in species richness, and population trends of birds using the Butiá palm forest. The availability of this information, derived from scientific research, is crucial as it constitutes a valuable and reliable source for designing effective conservation and environmental management strategies, particularly for an ecosystem facing serious conservation challenges.