Non-Galliformes Birds' Attraction to Soil Mounds Outside Chinese
Pangolin Burrows
Abstract
The Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) is typically conserved as a
flagship species, but its ecological functions, particularly regarding
avian interactions, remain underexplored. Using infrared camera traps,
this study investigated the ecological interactions between the Chinese
Pangolin and bird species. Results revealed higher bird species
diversity and biodiversity indices in the experimental group compared to
the control group, especially among non-Galliformes birds. The Chinese
Pangolin exhibited nocturnal activity, while birds were active during
the day, indicating temporal segregation. Among the observed bird
species, none exhibited burrow-entry behavior, but nine demonstrated
foraging behavior, with a significantly higher foraging ratio among
non-Galliformes birds. This study provides the first evidence of
non-Galliformes birds being attracted to soil mounds created by Chinese
Pangolin burrows, suggesting the pangolin’s potential role as a keystone
species in the local ecosystem. Further research is necessary to explore
the mechanisms of this attraction.