Effects of Vegetation on Bird Communities and Bird–Plant Interactions in Urban Green Areas of Riparian Forests in Brazil That Have Undergone Ecological Restoration

Urbanization replaces natural vegetation for city expansion, impacting environmental and climatic variables that affect the health of the human population and fauna. These changes affect important groups such as birds, given their greater sensitivity to anthropogenic alterations, especially when we understand these effects on a large scale, considering countries such as Brazil, which represents the third country with the greatest diversity of bird species in the world. Conversely, green spaces like urban parks, tree-lined avenues, and riparian forests seem to foster biodiversity conservation. Here, we analyze the effects of vegetation on bird communities and bird–plant interactions in urban riparian areas that have undergone ecological restoration. The study was carried out between January and October 2019 in two restored urban areas of Uberlândia, Brazil. Results showed that the richness of birds observed between the two areas was Praia Clube (n = 86) and Parque Linear Rio Uberabinha (n = 80). The most representative trophic guilds in the areas, with the highest proportion in their relative abundances during both seasons, were granivores, omnivores, insectivores, and frugivores. Composition varied significantly between areas as a function of the plant community, particularly when considering the interaction between season and area (ANOSIM: R = 0.19; Stress = 0.10; p = 0.008). In environments dominated by generalist and synanthropic species (Eared Dove, Picazuro Pigeon), effective planning and management of green areas are crucial. It is important to acknowledge that certain bird species depend on specific habitats, such as riparian forests, and that specific plant species within these areas are vital for specialized bird species, such as species endemic to the Brazilian Savanna or Cerrado and restricted to Brazil (White-striped Warbler) and species in vulnerable categories globally (Bare-faced Curassow). Therefore, restoration efforts in degraded areas should be carefully planned to restore interactions and conserve biodiversity effectively.