Authors : K. Charonthong and N. Sritasuwan
Abstract: This study describes the foraging and breeding behavior of the Giant Nuthatch (Sitta magna) in Northern Thailand. The study was done in 50x50 m plots where S. magna is usually found in the Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary, Chiang Mai province. Observations were made once per month. The proportion of each direction of foraging and the proportion of tree species used for foraging were compared using binomial test. Breeding behavior was assessed using the focal-scan method on a trail from Den Ya Kad Check Point to San Pa Kiey sub office of Chaing Dao Wildlife Sanctuary, Chiang Mai Province. The tree species used in the test for foraging non-significant proportion of Pinus Kesiya was 0.7 and other species was 0.3 (p = 0.487, α = 0.05), indicating that S. magna used more proportion of Pinus kesiya than other tree species for foraging. During January and February, about 5-8 S. magna foraged together for courtship and mating. Males followed and tried to fed females. Both males and females shared parental care tasks. S. magna used second cavity in Pinus kesiya, Lithocarpus sootepensis and unknown species dead trees for nests. Nestling left the nest at the average of 22.67 days old (from three nests). It is hoped that this study will be used for education policy making and in implementing action plans for the conservation of birds and biodiversity in this sanctuary.
K. Charonthong and N. Sritasuwan, 2009. Behavior of the Giant Nuthatch (Sitta magna). Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 4: 1142-1147.