BioOne.org will be down briefly for maintenance on 17 December 2024 between 18:00-22:00 Pacific Time US. We apologize for any inconvenience.
How to translate text using browser tools
6 April 2022 Cooperative breeding behavior emerges early in restored populations of the Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla)
James A. Cox, Mary Mack Gray, Heather E. Levy, Gary L. Slater
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

We monitored the emergence of cooperative breeding behavior in 2 Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla) populations that were reintroduced to formerly occupied sites in south Florida. Individuals from presumed family groups were captured and moved (n = 48) in the first reintroduction attempt (1998–2001) on Everglades National Park, Florida, USA. Two cooperative breeding groups were observed in the second breeding season (2000) and the proportion of cooperative breeding groups increased to ∼20% of the territories present in year 5. The second reintroduction attempt focused on capture and release of juveniles (n = 30) onto Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Florida, USA. A cooperative breeding group was observed in the first breeding season (2019) of this second attempt and in the 2 breeding seasons that followed (2020–2021). Cooperative breeding behavior was observed in both reintroduction attempts when nuthatches occupied a small fraction of the available habitat. Habitat saturation has been linked to cooperative breeding behavior in other avian taxa, but our observations point to the potential influence of other factors in promoting cooperation in the nuthatch. Recent studies suggest these factors might include mate limitations, benefits derived from group activities, and direct benefits of co-breeding among >2 adults.

James A. Cox, Mary Mack Gray, Heather E. Levy, and Gary L. Slater "Cooperative breeding behavior emerges early in restored populations of the Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla)," The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 133(4), 634-640, (6 April 2022). https://doi.org/10.1676/19-00146
Received: 30 November 2019; Accepted: 4 October 2021; Published: 6 April 2022
KEYWORDS
collective actions
habitat saturation
mate limitations
reintroduction
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top