Morphometric measures from birds in the Serra do Cipó National Park (1999-2009), Minas Gerais, Brazil

Morphometric data of 111 bird species, and 1732 individuals, captured in mist nets over a period of 10 years, from February 1999 to October 2009, were presented. The captures were made in the locality of 'Lagoa das Capivaras', inserted in the Serra do Cipó National Park (-19.346023, -43.609918). The capture with misty nets consisted of the use of bird capture nets of 12, nine, and six meters in length by three meters in height. The captured birds were identified at the species level, with the aid of guides and identification keys, and marked with numbered metal rings provided by CEMAVE - Centro de Pesquisas para Conservação das Aves Silvestres. Capture sessions were carried out by placing two to 20 nets in different locations throughout the area, remaining open throughout the morning, for several days and months over the years mentioned. All individuals were listed following the nomenclature and classification suggested by the Brazilian Committee for Ornithological Records. Biometric data of each individual were measured regarding body mass, wing length tarsus, the beak (height, length, and width), occiput (occipital region to nasofrontal suture), and total length. For this, calipers, rulers, and dynamometers with a precision of 0.1 g were used for small birds (such as those of the family Trochilidae), 1 g for medium birds, and 10 g for birds over 100 g. In addition to the age classification: juvenile (J), adult (A), and indeterminate (I); and sex: male (M), female (F), and indeterminate (I). Bird's morphometric is important data to support a variety of studies, especially those of taxonomy, physiology, ecology, and evolutionary implications of a particular species.