Camera-trapping successfully and non-invasively reveals the presence, activity and habitat choice of the Critically Endangered White-winged Flufftail Sarothrura ayresi in a South African high-altitude wetland

Abstract

SummaryThe ‘Critically Endangered’ White-winged Flufftail Sarothrura ayresi is regarded as one of the rarest and most threatened rallids in Africa. Due to the species’ low density, habitat preference, cryptic colouration, elusive behaviour and lack of auditory cues has resulted in it being one of the most challenging species to survey using traditional methods such as auditory surveys and rope dragging. Numerous data deficiencies exist regarding facets of the species’ ecology, distribution, habitat-use and population status. A stratified array of nine camera localities was used within high-altitude palustrine wetland habitat to ascertain if this non-invasive technique could successfully document the first estimate of site occupancy, fine scale habitat use and activity patterns of this very rare species. Our study accumulated a total of 626 camera days and eight independent sightings of White-winged Flufftail across the respective austral summer season. Furthermore, our study confirms the applicability of camera trapping to other rare and elusive rallid species. Our results confirm that White-winged Flufftail is a low-density habitat specialist species, with site occupancy influenced positively by basal and canopy vegetation cover and detection probability influenced negatively by water depth within associated wetland habitats. Activity pattern analyses displayed that peak activity occurred at dawn and dusk, which yielded the highest degree of activity overlap with the only other migratory rallid recorded, Spotted Crake Porzana prozana. Our study also recorded the first apparent territorial display behaviour noted for the species. Our study supports the need for conservation initiatives focused on securing contiguous sections of suitable wetland habitat in order to accommodate the persistence of this globally threatened species.

A vegetation classification and description of white-winged flufftail ( Sarothrura ayresi ) habitat at selected high-altitude peatlands in South Africa

“…Physical observations as well as audio recordings of the white-winged flufftail were documented at Middelpunt Wetland using camera trap and acoustic survey designs [ 5 , 6 ] and Verloren Valei Nature Reserve. The substrate of the wetlands at these sites is characterized by a substantial accumulation of organic matter and they are classified as peatlands [ 26 ].…”

“…It, therefore, seems that similar habitats are available in other parts of the country, which could be monitored for the presence of the white-winged flufftail. Although Mendelsohn et al [ 4 ] was unsuccessful in finding these birds in KwaZulu-Natal, passive monitoring techniques have since been developed that could increase detection rates [ 6 ].…”

“…Through the combined use of camera traps and acoustic devices, the vocalization of the white-winged flufftail was characterized and unequivocally confirmed for the first time. The use of these devices further revealed a better understanding of white-winged flufftail behaviour and confirmed that the bird is a habitat specialist, preferring high-altitude wetlands with intact canopy and basal cover during the breeding season [ 5 , 6 ].…”

Evaluating the efficacy and decay of lures for improving carnivore detections with camera traps

“…2012, Colyn et al. 2019, Kays et al. 2020), especially for difficult to study species such as carnivores (Bahaa‐el‐din et al.…”

“…Camera traps are an effective survey method that have increasingly been used to monitor wildlife over the last decade (Melo et al 2012, Colyn et al 2019, Kays et al 2020, especially for difficult to study species such as carnivores (Bahaa-el-din et al 2015, Kilshaw et al 2015. Because they are noninvasive, camera traps do not alter an animal's behavior (i.e., cause avoidance) and may therefore produce less biased abundance and occupancy estimates than other methods (O'Connor et al 2017, Evans et al 2019.…”