ATLANTIC BIRDS: a data set of bird species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

South America holds 30% of the world's avifauna, with the Atlantic Forest representing one of the richest regions of the Neotropics. Here we have compiled a data set on Brazilian Atlantic Forest bird occurrence (150,423) and abundance samples (N = 832 bird species; 33,119 bird individuals) using multiple methods, including qualitative surveys, mist nets, point counts, and line transects). We used four main sources of data: museum collections, on-line databases, literature sources, and unpublished reports. The data set comprises 4,122 localities and data from 1815 to 2017. Most studies were conducted in the Florestas de Interior (1,510 localities) and Serra do Mar (1,280 localities) biogeographic sub-regions. Considering the three main quantitative methods (mist net, point count, and line transect), we compiled abundance data for 745 species in 576 communities. In the data set, the most frequent species were Basileuterus culicivorus, Cyclaris gujanensis, and Conophaga lineata. There were 71 singletons, such as Lipaugus conditus and Calyptura cristata. We suggest that this small number of records reinforces the critical situation of these taxa in the Atlantic Forest. The information provided in this data set can be used for macroecological studies and to foster conservation strategies in this biodiversity hotspot. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Data Paper if data are used in publications and teaching events.

A taxonomic review of the Golden-green Woodpecker, Piculus chrysochloros (Aves: Picidae) reveals the existence of six valid taxa.

Piculus chrysochloros (Vieillot 1818) is a species of woodpecker that ranges from Argentina to Panama, occurring in lowland forests as well as Cerrado, Caatinga and Chaco vegetation. Currently, nine subspecies are accepted, but no study has evaluated individual variation within populations, so the status of these taxa remains uncertain. Here we review the taxonomy and distribution of this species, based on morphological and morphometric data from 267 specimens deposited in ornithological collections. Our results suggest the existence of six unambiguous taxonomic units that can be treated as phylogenetic species: Piculus xanthochloros (Sclater & Salvin 1875), from northwestern South America; Piculus capistratus (Malherbe 1862), from northern Amazonia west to the Branco River; Piculus laemostictus Todd 1937, from southern Amazonia; Piculus chrysochloros (Vieillot 1818), from the Cerrado, Caatinga and Chaco; Piculus paraensis (Snethlage 1907) from the Belém Center of Endemism; and Piculus polyzonus (Valenciennes 1826) from the Atlantic Forest. Both Brazilian endemics (P. polyzonus and P. paraensis) are threatened due to habitat loss. In addition, we found one undescribed form from the Tapajós-Tocantins interfluve, now under study, that may prove to be a valid species once more specimens and other data become available.

Avian Assemblages in Forest Fragments do not Sum to the Expected Regional Community in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

While bird diversity in the Atlantic Forest can be considered well-known, how the communities have been affected by deforestation and habitat fragmentation is not. We studied birds in 10 forest fragments of distinct sizes (all originally within the Atlantic Forest) in southern Bahia. In 5,391 bird encounters, we found 251 species, with 46 endemics and eight considered globally vulnerable or endangered. We also compiled a list of the 380 species that should comprise the expected regional assemblage, and found that only 66% of these species were present in all the fragments combined. Only 9% of all observed species were found in all fragments. The largest fragment (700 ha) had the greatest number of endemic species (40), and seven threatened species. All fragments had some conservation-important species (some were found in one or a few fragments), but no fragment included them all. Fragments shared 10% of endemic species, but overall, the contingent of endemics was unique in each fragment. Finally, most functional traits of bird assemblages decreased with increasing fragment size. Neither species richness nor similarity correlated with fragment size or distance between fragments, and unknown, non-random factors probably influence the likelihood of species survival in each fragment. Thus, to ensure the persistence of threatened species, as well as maintain the most common species, conservation management decisions should include all fragments together because no single fragment is most representative of the local community.

ATLANTIC BIRD TRAITS: a data set of bird morphological traits from the Atlantic forests of South America.

Scientists have long been trying to understand why the Neotropical region holds the highest diversity of birds on Earth. Recently, there has been increased interest in morphological variation between and within species, and in how climate, topography, and anthropogenic pressures may explain and affect phenotypic variation. Because morphological data are not always available for many species at the local or regional scale, we are limited in our understanding of intra- and interspecies spatial morphological variation. Here, we present the ATLANTIC BIRD TRAITS, a data set that includes measurements of up to 44 morphological traits in 67,197 bird records from 2,790 populations distributed throughout the Atlantic forests of South America. This data set comprises information, compiled over two centuries (1820-2018), for 711 bird species, which represent 80% of all known bird diversity in the Atlantic Forest. Among the most commonly reported traits are sex (n = 65,717), age (n = 63,852), body mass (n = 58,768), flight molt presence (n = 44,941), molt presence (n = 44,847), body molt presence (n = 44,606), tail length (n = 43,005), reproductive stage (n = 42,588), bill length (n = 37,409), body length (n = 28,394), right wing length (n = 21,950), tarsus length (n = 20,342), and wing length (n = 18,071). The most frequently recorded species are Chiroxiphia caudata (n = 1,837), Turdus albicollis (n = 1,658), Trichothraupis melanops (n = 1,468), Turdus leucomelas (n = 1,436), and Basileuterus culicivorus (n = 1,384). The species recorded in the greatest number of sampling localities are Basileuterus culicivorus (n = 243), Trichothraupis melanops (n = 242), Chiroxiphia caudata (n = 210), Platyrinchus mystaceus (n = 208), and Turdus rufiventris (n = 191). ATLANTIC BIRD TRAITS (ABT) is the most comprehensive data set on measurements of bird morphological traits found in a biodiversity hotspot; it provides data for basic and applied research at multiple scales, from individual to community, and from the local to the macroecological perspectives. No copyright or proprietary restrictions are associated with the use of this data set. Please cite this data paper when the data are used in publications or teaching and educational activities.

An ornithological inventory in a reforested woodlot in western Paraná state, southern Brazil

This paper presents an ornithological inventory taken between March and December of 2017 in the Brazilian state of Paraná. Although the surroundings contain one relatively well-known location in regard to ornithology, Iguaçu National Park, several other areas merit exploration, among them the Santa Helena Relevant Ecological Interest Area (ARIE-SH). The 1,479 ha ARIE-SH is essentially a large remnant of the Atlantic Forest located adjacent to the city of Santa Helena, Paraná, which commencing in the 1980s has undergone considerable reforestation with both native and exotic species, including fruit species. Prior to censusing bird species and to better characterize the avian community, we conducted a bibliographic review of earlier ornithological studies carried out at ARIE-SH. In addition, we conducted opportunistic and unsystematic observations in nearby locations. We recorded 311 species of birds. During the current inventory, and others conducted in the area since 2016, we recorded six Atlantic Forest endemic species, five species threatened in Paraná, and two globally threatened species. Common species which showed high Index of Frequency in Lists include (in descending order) Basileuterus culicivorus, Leptotila verreauxi, Cnemotriccus fuscatus, Corythopis delalandi, Turdus leucomelas and Arremon flavirostris. Nine species observed while conducting this census (Laterallus exilis, Amazona vinacea, Herpsilochmus longirostris, Campylorhamphus trochilirostris, Casiornis rufus, Campylorhynchus turdinus, Myiothlypis flaveola, Eucometis penicillata and Sporophila palustris) are the first records for this region.(AU)

An ornithological inventory in a reforested woodlot in western Paraná state, southern Brazil

Abstract This paper presents an ornithological inventory taken between March and December of 2017 in the Brazilian state of Paraná. Although the surroundings contain one relatively well-known location in regard to ornithology, Iguaçu National Park, several other areas merit exploration, among them the Santa Helena Relevant Ecological Interest Area (ARIE-SH). The 1,479 ha ARIE-SH is essentially a large remnant of the Atlantic Forest located adjacent to the city of Santa Helena, Paraná, which commencing in the 1980s has undergone considerable reforestation with both native and exotic species, including fruit species. Prior to censusing bird species and to better characterize the avian community, we conducted a bibliographic review of earlier ornithological studies carried out at ARIE-SH. In addition, we conducted opportunistic and unsystematic observations in nearby locations. We recorded 311 species of birds. During the current inventory, and others conducted in the area since 2016, we recorded six Atlantic Forest endemic species, five species threatened in Paraná, and two globally threatened species. Common species which showed high Index of Frequency in Lists include (in descending order) Basileuterus culicivorus, Leptotila verreauxi, Cnemotriccus fuscatus, Corythopis delalandi, Turdus leucomelas and Arremon flavirostris. Nine species observed while conducting this census (Laterallus exilis, Amazona vinacea, Herpsilochmus longirostris, Campylorhamphus trochilirostris, Casiornis rufus, Campylorhynchus turdinus, Myiothlypis flaveola, Eucometis penicillata and Sporophila palustris) are the first records for this region.

An ornithological inventory in a reforested woodlot in western Paraná state, southern Brazil

Abstract This paper presents an ornithological inventory taken between March and December of 2017 in the Brazilian state of Paraná. Although the surroundings contain one relatively well-known location in regard to ornithology, Iguaçu National Park, several other areas merit exploration, among them the Santa Helena Relevant Ecological Interest Area (ARIE-SH). The 1,479 ha ARIE-SH is essentially a large remnant of the Atlantic Forest located adjacent to the city of Santa Helena, Paraná, which commencing in the 1980s has undergone considerable reforestation with both native and exotic species, including fruit species. Prior to censusing bird species and to better characterize the avian community, we conducted a bibliographic review of earlier ornithological studies carried out at ARIE-SH. In addition, we conducted opportunistic and unsystematic observations in nearby locations. We recorded 311 species of birds. During the current inventory, and others conducted in the area since 2016, we recorded six Atlantic Forest endemic species, five species threatened in Paraná, and two globally threatened species. Common species which showed high Index of Frequency in Lists include (in descending order) Basileuterus culicivorus, Leptotila verreauxi, Cnemotriccus fuscatus, Corythopis delalandi, Turdus leucomelas and Arremon flavirostris. Nine species observed while conducting this census (Laterallus exilis, Amazona vinacea, Herpsilochmus longirostris, Campylorhamphus trochilirostris, Casiornis rufus, Campylorhynchus turdinus, Myiothlypis flaveola, Eucometis penicillata and Sporophila palustris) are the first records for this region.

A new look at the holotype and type locality of Setopagis maculosa (Todd, 1920) Aves: Caprimulgidae), with remarks on its systematic relationships.

Setopagis maculosa (Todd, 1920) (Aves: Caprimulgidae) was described based on a single male specimen collected by Samuel Milton Klages in French Guiana, northeastern South America. Since then, no new specimens have been collected nor have any reliable records been made, and the validity of the species has been questioned. A detailed analysis of the holotype reveals that it has unique and distinctive morphological traits that support the validity and taxonomic status of the species, which is provisionally placed in Setopagis. We present new information on the type locality at the time of its collection, which may shed some light on the habitat preferences of the species, and we provide details on its plumage that have been largely overlooked and that will be important for future field identification.

An overlooked hotspot for birds in the Atlantic Forest

Montane and submontane forest patches in the state of Bahia, Brazil, are among the few large and preserved Atlantic Forests remnants. They are strongholds of an almost complete elevational gradient, which harbor both lowland and highland bird taxa. Despite being considered a biodiversity hotspot, few ornithologists have surveyed these forests, especially along elevational gradients. Here we compile bird records acquired from systematic surveys and random observations carried out since the 1980s in a 7,500 ha private protected area: Serra Bonita private reserve. We recorded 368 species, of which 143 are Atlantic Forest endemic taxa. Some 16 and 13 species are threatened at the global and national levels, respectively. If one accounts for subspecies, the number of Brazilian threatened taxa raises to 21. Species composition differs between lower and higher elevations, in which case lowlands harbor Amazonia-related taxa, whereas highlands are the home of Atlantic Forest-related taxa.(AU)

An overlooked hotspot for birds in the Atlantic Forest

Montane and submontane forest patches in the state of Bahia, Brazil, are among the few large and preserved Atlantic Forests remnants. They are strongholds of an almost complete elevational gradient, which harbor both lowland and highland bird taxa. Despite being considered a biodiversity hotspot, few ornithologists have surveyed these forests, especially along elevational gradients. Here we compile bird records acquired from systematic surveys and random observations carried out since the 1980s in a 7,500 ha private protected area: Serra Bonita private reserve. We recorded 368 species, of which 143 are Atlantic Forest endemic taxa. Some 16 and 13 species are threatened at the global and national levels, respectively. If one accounts for subspecies, the number of Brazilian threatened taxa raises to 21. Species composition differs between lower and higher elevations, in which case lowlands harbor Amazonia-related taxa, whereas highlands are the home of Atlantic Forest-related taxa.

Museum collections indicate bird defaunation in a biodiversity hotspot / Coleções de museus indicam defaunação de aves em um hotspot de biodiversidade

Abstract Ipanema National Forest, southeastern Brazil, once contained 340 bird species. Forest cover suffered for centuries from log exploitation and, as a result, most of the remaining forests are now an impoverished subset of the original vegetation. We show how the bird community changed over time by comparing historical and recent records. Currently, 228 species can be recorded, for a compilation of 410 species, of which 359 are documented. Some 89 forest species with historical records failed to be detected in recent surveys. Of the 72 Atlantic Forest or Cerrado endemic species, no more than 29 (40%) are still found. The bird community changed from one which used to be related to coastline rain forests to another, which relates more to drier semideciduous forests of the interior.

Resumo A Floresta Nacional de Ipanema, sudeste do Brasil, já abrigou 340 espécies de aves. Sua cobertura florestal sofreu por séculos com a exploração de madeira e, desse modo, a maior parte da vegetação remanescente é uma sub-representação daquela original. Neste artigo é demonstrado como a comunidade de aves foi modificada com o passar do tempo por meio da comparação entre registros históricos e recentes. Atualmente, 228 espécies podem ser registradas, para um total de 410 espécies, das quais 359 possuem documentação. Das espécies registradas historicamente, 89 não foram mais detectadas. Das 72 espécies endêmicas da Mata Atlântica ou do Cerrado, apenas 29 (40%) ainda podem ser encontradas. A comunidade de aves, outrora similar à de florestas ombrófilas costeiras, atualmente é mais relaciona à comunidade de matas semideciduais mais secas do interior.

Taxonomy and biogeography of Stephanoxis Simon, 1897 (Aves: Trochilidae)

After the description in the 19th century of two hummingbird species currently allocated to the genus Stephanoxis, Peters (1945) merged both taxa into a single species without providing any rationale. Here we re-evaluate the taxonomy and species limits of the representatives of this genus based on an extensive number of specimens. We demonstrate these taxa are better treated as full species under both the Biological and Phylogenetic Species Concepts due to their well-defined range and plumage patterns and reciprocally diagnosability. They have distinct, allopatric distributions segregated by a 160 km gap between the Serra do Mar, to the east, and Serra de Paranapiacaba, to the west, in the state of São Paulo. Stephanoxis species have ranges which are congruent with other montane bird species’ suggesting shared vicariance events during preterit interglacial periods.

Taxonomy and biogeography of Stephanoxis Simon, 1897 (Aves: Trochilidae)

After the description in the 19th century of two hummingbird species currently allocated to the genus Stephanoxis, Peters (1945) merged both taxa into a single species without providing any rationale. Here we re-evaluate the taxonomy and species limits of the representatives of this genus based on an extensive number of specimens. We demonstrate these taxa are better treated as full species under both the Biological and Phylogenetic Species Concepts due to their well-defined range and plumage patterns and reciprocally diagnosability. They have distinct, allopatric distributions segregated by a 160 km gap between the Serra do Mar, to the east, and Serra de Paranapiacaba, to the west, in the state of São Paulo. Stephanoxis species have ranges which are congruent with other montane bird species suggesting shared vicariance events during preterit interglacial periods.(AU)

Does the reproductive season account for more records of birds in a marked seasonal climate landscape in the state of São Paulo, Brazil?

Investigators have reported that birds from temperate regions are more detectable during their breeding seasons, which should be used to adequately survey avifaunas. In the state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, the rainiest months of the year are usually associated with a peak in the reproduction of birds. To test the hypothesis that birds are equally detectable throughout the year, I conducted transect counts of birds in a predominantly open Cerrado landscape in São Paulo during 2005 and 2006. There was no significant difference in the number of species or individuals between breeding (rainy) and nonbreeding (dry) seasons; 24% of the species with > 50 contacts was likely to be recorded more often in a particular season. Unlike temperate regions, where vocal behavior plays an important role in detections of birds during and after reproductive seasons, my results suggest that Cerrado birds may be evenly detected throughout the year.

Does the reproductive season account for more records of birds in a marked seasonal climate landscape in the state of São Paulo, Brazil?

Investigators have reported that birds from temperate regions are more detectable during their breeding seasons, which should be used to adequately survey avifaunas. In the state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, the rainiest months of the year are usually associated with a peak in the reproduction of birds. To test the hypothesis that birds are equally detectable throughout the year, I conducted transect counts of birds in a predominantly open Cerrado landscape in São Paulo during 2005 and 2006. There was no significant difference in the number of species or individuals between breeding (rainy) and nonbreeding (dry) seasons; 24% of the species with > 50 contacts was likely to be recorded more often in a particular season. Unlike temperate regions, where vocal behavior plays an important role in detections of birds during and after reproductive seasons, my results suggest that Cerrado birds may be evenly detected throughout the year.(AU)

Evaluation of methodological protocols using point counts and mist nets: a case study in southeastern Brazil

Despite their wide use in ornithological surveys, point counts and mist nets follow protocols de‑veloped in temperate regions, with little attention to possible modifications for tropical systems. Using these methods on a 3‑month basis from December 2009-January 2011 in two forest fragments in southeastern Brazil, we wished to evaluate how long these locations needed to be surveyed with point counts for a relatively complete avifaunal inventory (at least 90% of all species and contacts), and if mist net hourly captures can equally detect numbers of species and individuals. Daily counting with four 20‑min points during five consecutive days in a rain for‑est (MC) detected 90% of the estimated species richness after 20 h (60 20‑min point counts), while 17 h (51 20‑min point counts) did not detect 90% of the estimated species richness in a semideciduous forest (IT). The first 5 min of point counting in MC (63% of all species) and in IT (65%) detected significantly more species than the remaining minutes, but it took 15 min to accumulate 86% of all contacts in both forests. Consecutive 5‑day mist netting (~ 9 h/day) resulted in 70.5 net‑h/m2 (MC) and 74.8 net‑h/m2 (IT) of sample effort, but 80‑85% of the estimated number of species was obtained. Although accumulation curves showed no tendency towards stabilization of the number of observed species, the estimated number of species began to stabilize after the first 20 h in both forests. There was no significant difference in capture rates for both species richness and abundance among hourly net checks, but a trend in which these parameters were highest between the second and fourth checks of the day was observed. A 3‑day (43.8 and 63.3 net‑h/m2) mist netting section was enough to record 90% of the species captured during five days in MC and IT, respectively, while precise enough not to jeopardize species richness estimation. The number of individuals, however, decreased order 34% in MC and 38% in IT under the same conditions. Considering the number of net checks, 90% of the estimated species richness was captured until the 1100 h check in both remnants, while 67% of all individuals were captured until this same hour. Our results demonstrate that surveying the avifauna in these locations will require unique approaches, which must be tested before the beginning of point counting or net opening.

Recommendations for monitoring avian populations with point counts: a case study in southeastern Brazil

In the northern hemisphere, bird counts have been fundamental in gathering data to understand population trends. Due to the seasonality of the northern hemisphere, counts take place during two clearly defined moments in time: the breeding season (resident birds) and winter (after migration). Depending on location, Neotropical birds may breed at any time of year, may or may not migrate, and those patterns are not necessarily synchronous among species. Also in contrast to the northern hemisphere, population trends and the impact of rapid urbanization and deforestation are unknown and unmonitored. Throughout one year, we used point counts to better understand temporal patterns of bird species richness and relative abundance in the state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, to examine how to implement similar bird counts in tropical America. We counted birds twice each day on 10 point transects (20 points day‑1), separated by 200 m, with a 100 m limited detection radius in a semideciduous tropical forest. Both species richness and bird abundance were greater in the morning, but accumulation curves suggest that longer-duration afternoon counts would reach the same total species as in morning counts. Species richness and bird abundance did not vary seasonally and unique species were counted every month; relatively few species (20%) were present in all months. Most (84%) known forest species in the area were encountered. We suggest that point counts can work here as they do in the northern hemisphere. We recommend that transects include at least 20 points and that the simplest timing of bird counts would also be seasonal, using timing of migration of austral migrants (and six months later) to coordinate counts. We propose that bird counts in Brazil, and elsewhere in Latin America, would provide data to help understand population trends, but would require greater effort than in temperate latitudes due to greater species richness and different dynamics of reproduction and migration. With collaboration among ornithologists and coordinated bird surveys, we may develop a technique for the tropics that would yield information for population trends and conservation of birds, similar to counts in temperate latitudes.

Recommendations for monitoring avian populations with point counts: a case study in southeastern Brazil

In the northern hemisphere, bird counts have been fundamental in gathering data to understand population trends. Due to the seasonality of the northern hemisphere, counts take place during two clearly defined moments in time: the breeding season (resident birds) and winter (after migration). Depending on location, Neotropical birds may breed at any time of year, may or may not migrate, and those patterns are not necessarily synchronous among species. Also in contrast to the northern hemisphere, population trends and the impact of rapid urbanization and deforestation are unknown and unmonitored. Throughout one year, we used point counts to better understand temporal patterns of bird species richness and relative abundance in the state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, to examine how to implement similar bird counts in tropical America. We counted birds twice each day on 10 point transects (20 points day‑1), separated by 200 m, with a 100 m limited detection radius in a semideciduous tropical forest. Both species richness and bird abundance were greater in the morning, but accumulation curves suggest that longer-duration afternoon counts would reach the same total species as in morning counts. Species richness and bird abundance did not vary seasonally and unique species were counted every month; relatively few species (20%) were present in all months. Most (84%) known forest species in the area were encountered. We suggest that point counts can work here as they do in the northern hemisphere. We recommend that transects include at least 20 points and that the simplest timing of bird counts would also be seasonal, using timing of migration of austral migrants (and six months later) to coordinate counts. We propose that bird counts in Brazil, and elsewhere in Latin America, would provide data to help understand population trends, but would require greater effort than in temperate latitudes due to greater species richness and different dynamics of reproduction and migration. With collaboration among ornithologists and coordinated bird surveys, we may develop a technique for the tropics that would yield information for population trends and conservation of birds, similar to counts in temperate latitudes.(AU)

Evaluation of methodological protocols using point counts and mist nets: a case study in southeastern Brazil

Despite their wide use in ornithological surveys, point counts and mist nets follow protocols de‑veloped in temperate regions, with little attention to possible modifications for tropical systems. Using these methods on a 3‑month basis from December 2009-January 2011 in two forest fragments in southeastern Brazil, we wished to evaluate how long these locations needed to be surveyed with point counts for a relatively complete avifaunal inventory (at least 90% of all species and contacts), and if mist net hourly captures can equally detect numbers of species and individuals. Daily counting with four 20‑min points during five consecutive days in a rain for‑est (MC) detected 90% of the estimated species richness after 20 h (60 20‑min point counts), while 17 h (51 20‑min point counts) did not detect 90% of the estimated species richness in a semideciduous forest (IT). The first 5 min of point counting in MC (63% of all species) and in IT (65%) detected significantly more species than the remaining minutes, but it took 15 min to accumulate 86% of all contacts in both forests. Consecutive 5‑day mist netting (~ 9 h/day) resulted in 70.5 net‑h/m2 (MC) and 74.8 net‑h/m2 (IT) of sample effort, but 80‑85% of the estimated number of species was obtained. Although accumulation curves showed no tendency towards stabilization of the number of observed species, the estimated number of species began to stabilize after the first 20 h in both forests. There was no significant difference in capture rates for both species richness and abundance among hourly net checks, but a trend in which these parameters were highest between the second and fourth checks of the day was observed. A 3‑day (43.8 and 63.3 net‑h/m2) mist netting section was enough to record 90% of the species captured during five days in MC and IT, respectively, while precise enough not to jeopardize species richness estimation. The number of individuals, however, decreased order 34% in MC and 38% in IT under the same conditions. Considering the number of net checks, 90% of the estimated species richness was captured until the 1100 h check in both remnants, while 67% of all individuals were captured until this same hour. Our results demonstrate that surveying the avifauna in these locations will require unique approaches, which must be tested before the beginning of point counting or net opening.(AU)

Bird species diversity in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil is not explained by the Mid-domain Effect

The Atlantic Forest is an excellent case study for the elevational diversity of birds, and some inventories along elevational gradients have been carried out in Brazil. Since none of these studies explain the patterns of species richness with elevation, we herein review all Brazilian studies on bird elevational diversity, and test a geometric constraint null model that predicts a unimodal species-altitude curve, the Mid-domain Effect (MDE). We searched for bird inventories in the literature and also analysed our own survey data using limited-radius point counts along an 800 m elevational gradient in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. We found 10 investigations of elevational diversity of Atlantic Forest birds and identified five different elevational patterns: monotonic decreasing diversity, constant at low elevations, constant at low elevations but increasing towards the middle, and two undescribed patterns for Atlantic Forest birds, trough-shaped and increasing diversity. The average MDE fit was low (r² = 0.31) and none of the MDE predictions were robust across all gradients. Those studies with good MDE model fits had obvious sampling bias. Although it has been proposed that the MDE may be positively associated with the elevational diversity of birds, it does not fit the Brazilian Atlantic Forest bird elevational diversity.