Dynamics of nest availability occurrence of Blue and Yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna) nests in the urban area of ​​Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul.

With the growth of urban areas, the fragments and trees present in this environment have become fundamental to the conservation of biodiversity, as they provide food and nesting sites. The availability of breeding sites in hollows in an area is a determining factor in the reproductive success of several species that require this resource. This study aims to evaluate the dynamics of use of dead palm tree trunks as nests by Ara ararauna, the blue-and-yellow macaw, over seven breeding seasons in the urban perimeter of Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul. Data were collected between 2011 and 2017. One hundred and forty-six natural nests were recorded, mainly in house yards (55.5%) and public areas (32.9%). The nests were built on dead palm trees of five tree species: macauba palm (Acrocomia aculeata), moriche palm (Mauritia flexuosa), fishtail palm (Caryota urens), imperial palm (Roystonea oleracea), and babassu palm (Attalea speciosa). Forty-six natural nests were lost, which corresponded to 31.5% of the nests recorded. Just over half of these nests were removed by the residents (58.7%), while the remaining fell naturally (41.3%). Considering the importance of the vegetation present in residential yards and public areas, particularly palm trees for breeding and feeding of A. ararauna, it is important to conserve them and encourage the planting of native palm trees in the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]