Non-Galliformes Birds' Attraction to Soil Mounds Outside Chinese Pangolin Burrows

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.