RECENT OCCURRENCES OF THE GREAT ANTSHRIKE TARABA MAJOR (AVES: THAMNOPHILIDAE) IN NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS OF THE LARGEST URBAN AREA IN SOUTH AMERICA

The Great Antshrike Taraba major is a forest bird species with wide occurrence in the driest environments of South America, including in Brazil. In the state of São Paulo, Southeast Brazil, the species has always been restricted to inland regions, but the number of detections in the eastern region has been increasing in recent decades. We compiled and evaluated available records for the species in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo (MRSP) with the aim of understanding how it has been accessing the largest urban area in South America. We found 13 records made in the last eight years at nine locations, including riparian environments, solitary birds, subadult birds and a predominance of unique records, indicating its occurrence in MRSP is recent. The concentration of records in the northwest region of MRSP may indicate a possible entry route, facilitated by the absence of a dense forest barrier and the presence of the region's main river. Occurrences close to the main rivers of MRSP suggest the use of riparian forests for movement and permanence. The presence of a bird species typical of interior dry forests in a region of humid forests shows a high capacity for locomotion and possibly adaptation, in addition to possible changes in the fragmented natural environments of MRSP. This study contributes to a better understanding of the successful colonization of MRSP by inland birds, as well as the potential for future colonization resulting from climate change.