Availability and selection of arboreal termitaria as nest‐sites by Orange‐fronted Parakeets Aratinga canicularis in conserved and modified landscapes in Mexico

Abstract

Few studies have investigated the use of termitaria by nesting parrots, or how this may be affected by habitat transformation. We determined selection of termitaria by nesting Orange‐fronted Parakeets Aratinga canicularis, and evaluated the effect of habitat transformation on the availability of termitaria nest‐sites for Parakeets in the tropical dry forest of Western Mexico. Availability of termitaria was quantified in 24 survey plots in a factorial design of six 1‐ha plots in each of conserved and modified, deciduous and semi‐deciduous forest. Characteristics of termitaria were determined in survey plots, as well as 21 nest‐termitaria used by Parakeets, and their nearest adjacent termitarium. There was an overall density of 1.6 termitaria/ha suitable for nesting by Parakeets, which did not differ between habitats, although only 8% of apparently suitable termitaria were occupied by nesting Parakeets. However, termitaria in conserved semi‐deciduous forest were significantly higher above the ground, and termitaria in conserved deciduous forest were significantly smaller in volume. In the modified landscape, termitaria were significantly lower and their volume significantly larger than in conserved landscapes. Termitaria used by nesting parrots were at a significantly greater height above the ground than the nearest adjacent termitaria. Termitarium volume did not reliably predict the likelihood of nest‐site selection, although Parakeets only used termitaria between 15 and 150 l. Parakeets nesting in modified habitats used termitaria at a significantly lower height than Parakeets nesting in conserved habitat. It is unclear whether this represents a decline in nest‐site quality in modified habitats, which could affect reproductive success of Parakeet populations in fragmented landscapes.

Reduced current distribution of Psittacidae on the Mexican Pacific coast: potential impacts of habitat loss and capture for trade

“…This capture for trade may have had less effect on the current distribution of Aratinga canicularis as the species is reported to have a higher productivity of 4-5 eggs/clutch (Forshaw 1989). Furthermore, in comparison with most parrot species which use tree holes for nesting, Aratinga canicularis constructs its nests in termite mounds which may be found in disturbed or secondary habitats (Sánchez-Martínez and Renton 2009). This may enable the species to adapt to foraging and nesting in human modified areas, resulting in a current distribution of greater extent than that predicted based on habitat availability in 2000 (Ríos Munoz and Navarro Ziguenza 2009).…”

Contextual flexibility in the vocal repertoire of an Amazon parrot

“…Larger movements by the Lilac-crowned Amazon mean that the species is likely to encounter heterogeneous environmental and social conditions that could promote diversity in the vocal repertoire. Another key ecological difference is that the Orange-fronted Parakeet excavates nest-cavities in arboreal termiteria [11] that are generally abundant resources but with only short-term longevity [64, 65]. By comparison, most parrot species, including the Lilac-crowned Amazon, depend on pre-existing naturally-formed tree-cavities [56] that are limited but long-term resources, and exhibit intense intraspecific competition for nest-sites [45].…”

Booking.com®: a fake mega arboreal termitaria as an unusual nesting site for the Peach-fronted parakeet, Eupsittula aurea (Psittacidae)

“…This urban fake arboreal termitaria had around 500 L, it was almost 4 times larger than a natural arboreal terminaria reported as a nesting site for parakeets (BRIGHTSMITH, 2000;SANCHEZ-MARTINEZ;RENTON, 2009). Although a termitaria volume is not usually a good predictor of parakeet nesting site selection, in anthropic landscapes these structures are larger than in preserved environments (SANCHEZ-MARTINEZ; RENTON, 2009).…”