Influence of Habitat Use Patterns on Cooperative Breeding in the Brown-Headed Nuthatch

Authors

Albert Herb Jr., Stephen F. Austin State UniversityFollow
D. Brent Burt, Stephen F. Austin State UniversityFollow

Publication Date

12-1-2000

Abstract

We document the habitat use patterns of the Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla). We describe how its habitat use patterns contribute to ecological constraints that may maintain cooperative breeding in this species. Brown-headed Nuthatches are pine specialists. In particularly, Brown-headed Nuthatches forage primarily on the bark and cones in the top distal portions of mature pines. Breeding territories differ considerably in pine density. We suggest that differences in pine density are an indicator of habitat and territory quality. We predict that additional studies will document that helpers are more common on relatively small territories with high tree densities and in habitats with few suitable nest sites.

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Recommended Citation

Herb Jr., Albert and Burt, D. Brent (2000) "Influence of Habitat Use Patterns on Cooperative Breeding in the Brown-Headed Nuthatch," Bulletin of the Texas Ornithological Society: Vol. 33: Iss. 3, Article 2.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tos_bulletin/vol33/iss3/2