Foraging of insectivorous species in artificial nests in South Pantanal, Brazil

Obtaining food resources is the energetic base for the survival and reproduction of an animal. The set of strategies to find, capture, subjugate, swallow and combat the defense mechanisms developed by prey is titled «foraging.» Many published studies about the use of artificial nests by birds are mainly focused on their importance for their reproduction, but there are no studies that report the use of artificial nests in the non-reproductive period. Thus, camera traps were also installed in the post-reproductive period of the hyacinth macaws (after the flight of the chick, from January to April 2017) in seven nests located in a pasture area, totaling 48:28 observation hours. It was recorded the visit of four species of insectivorous birds: White Woodpecker (Melanerpes candidus), Campo Flicker (Colaptes campestris), Great Rufous Woodcreeper (Xiphocolaptes major) and Narrow-billed Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes angustirostris). White Woodpecker and Campo Flicker were registered visiting the boxes at three times, and in one of them, a group of three Melanerpes candidus remained for 25 minutes exploring the place, probably foraging inside the nest. Xiphocolaptes major and Lepidocolaptes angustirostris were recorded visiting the nest, and the Narrow-billed Woodcreeper captured a Blattodea from inside the box and flew. Thus, the usefulness of artificial nests in post-breeding is an alternative source of foraging for other species, especially in altered areas.