The present article describes the foraging behavior and diet of Polystictus superciliaris (Wied, 1831), a poorly known species restricted to eastern Brazilian mountains. The work was carried out from April to December 2005 in the Serra do Rola Moça State Park, Nova Lima, Minas Gerais (20°03'S, 44°00'W). For each foraging bout we recorded the attack behavior, attack direction, substrate, height of foraging substrate, and habitat type where the attack occurred. The species diet was determined through direct field observations and by analyzing the stomach contents of 16 individuals. Polystictus superciliaris uses mainly "canga couraçada" (93.3%), and leaves (69.1%) of the most abundant plants of the area as substrate for the capture of preys. The species is generalist in relation to attack behavior. Analysis of stomach contents revealed the exclusive presence of arthropods. Field observations confirmed the exclusive insectivory of P. superciliaris, which was not observed consuming fruits or other vegetable matter.
Espinhaço Range; foraging behavior; stomach contents; diet; canga
