Cavity-nesting birds, such as the endangered vinaceous-breasted Amazon (Amazona vinacea), are particularly vulnerable to habitat loss and nest-site competition. Released amazons may face challenges to form mating pairs and choose a nest site. This study documents a rare case of two released pairs of A. vinacea sharing the same artificial nest box in the surroundings of the Araucárias National Park, Brazil. Behavioral interactions were monitored using camera traps over 65 days. The implications for reproductive success were evaluated, and management strategies to mitigate nest competition in reintroduction programs were proposed. Both pairs frequently visited the same nest box, occasionally with different partners, and exhibited aggressive interactions. A female laid two eggs that failed to hatch. These findings suggest that limited availability of artificial nest boxes may elicit atypical behaviors in released individuals, potentially influenced by captivity related factors. To improve reproductive success, it is recommended to install nest boxes ≥ 300 m apart, adopt weather-resistant designs and promote local engagement in monitoring through citizen science.
Moura et al. (Fri,) studied this question.