Abstract

SCHAAF, Alejandro A. Nest orientation of rufous hornero (Furnarius rufus): Vegetation, wind and solar radiation effects in Northwestern Argentina. Ecol. austral [online]. 2020, vol.30, n.1, pp.146-150. ISSN 1667-782X.

Solar radiation, winds and cover vegetation can affect nest construction decisions in birds; for example, the orientation of their entrance. In this study, the nest entrance orientation of rufous hornero (Furnarius rufus) in a subtropical desert site from Northern Argentina was examined. It was evaluated whether solar radiation and winds influence the mean orientation of nests with abundant upper vegetation cover and of those with little or no upper vegetation cover. Nests with abundant upper vegetation cover showed a randomly defined nest entrance orientation, suggesting that solar radiation and winds are not relevant in nest construction. Nests with little or no upper vegetation cover showed a non-random entrance, southeastern oriented, which would avoid direct solar radiation. Thus, nest with little or no upper vegetation cover were oriented towards prevailing southern humid winds as to increase cooling inside the nest. This work emphasizes the importance of including nest vegetation cover as a variable that may affect nest orientation.

Keywords : Desert; Furnariidae; Neotropic; Nest birds orientation; Passerines.

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