No. 65 (2020), Articles
No. 65 (2020)

Usurpation of a White-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes cactorum) nest by European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

Articles
Published 01.12.2020
Valentín Zárate
Instituto de Biología Subtropical (CONICET - UNaM), Bertoni 85, Puerto Iguazú (3370), Misiones, Argentina
Agostina S. Juncosa-Polzella
Centro de Zoología Aplicada Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales (UNC). Rondeau 798 (Jardín Zoológico), Córdoba (5000), Córdoba, Argentina
Portada del número actual
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Keywords

Invasive species
exotic birds
European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
agonistic interactions

How to Cite

Zárate, Valentín, and Agostina S. Juncosa-Polzella. 2020. “Usurpation of a White-Fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes Cactorum) Nest by European Starling (Sturnus Vulgaris)”. Nuestras Aves, no. 65 (December): 58-60. https://doi.org/10.56178/na.vi65.141.
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Abstract

The European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is an invasive species that was introduced to Argentina approximately 30 years ago. This species can usurp nests of native birds, including woodpeckers (Picidae), through aggressive interactions. Here we report the first usurpation of a White-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes cactorum) nest by European Starlings. During July 2020, in Córdoba city, Argentina, we observed two events of agonistic interaction between Starlings and Woodpeckers; one of which resulted in the usurpation of the woodpeckers’ nest. Starlings, as invasive species, can negatively affect different native birds in several countries. In Argentina, the invasion of Starlings is advancing rapidly. Thus, presumably, more native birds of our country will be affected by this advance. Our observations add another species, the White-fronted Woodpecker, to the list of Argentinian birds potentially affected by the presence of Starlings.

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