How do environmental factors and social structure influence nest-site selection in the White-fronted Woodpecker?

NUÑEZ MONTELLANO, MARIA GABRIELA; MACCHI, LEANDRO; GANDOY, FACUNDO A; TRONCOSO, ROCÍO; JIMENEZ, YOHANA; FOGUET, JAVIER; CHOQUE, ARIANA; MARTIN, EDUARDO; ARETA, JUAN IGNACIO

Gramado

Congreso; II Ornithological Congress of Americas; 2023

Woodpecker nest-site selection is important in determining the characteristics and locations of cavities available to other cavity-nesting animal species; however, few studies have examined the interaction between environmental and social factors driving nest-site selection. The study examines how environmental and social factors influence nest-site selection in the White-fronted Woodpecker in the Monte Desert of northwestern Argentina. We compared the characteristics of 65 nest sites to unused sites across six breeding seasons and employed RFID bio-loggers to determine the identity of adults attending six nests. At the plant scale, woodpeckers selected cacti that were larger and healthier than available congeners, while at the landscape scale, breeding sites had higher levels of primary productivity and were closer to previous nests. RFID stations showed that one main adult pair provided care at each nest, but an extra female adult visited two nests. White-fronted Woodpecker forms groups in selected areas for feeding, display, and perching, and these groups are relatively open between each other, likely influencing the socio-spatial components of nest-site selection. The study contributes to understanding how social systems of cavity excavators can influence nest-site selection and therefore the availability of cavities for other bird species.