Giant Nuthatch Sitta magna density and habitat association in a potential stronghold in northern Thailand

Journal article

Authors/Editors

GEORGE ANDREW GALE

Strategic Research Themes

Publication Details

Author list: Techachoochert S., Gale G.A., Khudamrongsawat J., Safoowong M., Round P.D.

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Publication year: 2021

Journal: Bird Conservation International (0959-2709)

Volume number: 32

Issue number: 2

Start page: 301

End page: 312

Number of pages: 12

ISSN: 0959-2709

eISSN: 1474-0001

URL: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85106147917&doi=10.1017%2fS0959270921000162&partnerID=40&md5=6d6353d4959f141f2019e6565fb5488e

Languages: English-Great Britain (EN-GB)

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Abstract

SummaryPopulations of the globally endangered Giant Nuthatch Sitta magna have declined significantly throughout their small world range in southern China and northern continental South-East Asia. Distance sampling and direct observations were used to estimate the density and habitat use of the Giant Nuthatch in a potential stronghold for the species, Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand. Thirteen line transects covering 6.2 km were established in open, pine-oak habitat favoured by the nuthatch, during November 2014 to December 2015. The mean density of Giant Nuthatch was 3.94±1.22 (95% CI = 2.15-7.22) individuals/km2. Hierarchical distance sampling models indicated that habitat use by Giant Nuthatch was strongly correlated with trees of large diameter. A pair of Giant Nuthatches was radio-tracked as they fed nestlings during the 2016 breeding season. The female's home range, centred on the nest, was 7.79 ha (95% kernel home range), approximately one-fourth of that of the male, 32.01 ha. Giant Nuthatches showed a significant preference for foraging on pines Pinus spp. and used the fissured bark of mature pines in which to store acorns of deciduous tree species. Our research indicates the importance of large, mature trees in open pine-oak forest in supporting Giant Nuthatch populations. © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of BirdLife International.

Keywords

Hierarchical distance sampling