ATLANTIC BIRDS: a dataset 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 region of the Neotropics. Here we compiled a dataset on Brazilian Atlantic Forest bird occurrence (150,423) and abundance samples (N=832 bird species; 33,119) 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 We used four main sources of data: museum collections, on-line databases, literature sources, and unpublished reports.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 dataset comprises 4,122 localities and data from 1815 to 2017. Most studies were conducted in the "Florestas de Interior" (N=1510 localities) and "Serra do Mar" (1280) 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 dataset, 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 these small number of records reinforce the critical situation of these taxa in the Atlantic Forest. The information provided in this dataset 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. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.