Magellanic Woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicus) behavior when approached by humans in the context of ecotourism

Background/Question/Methods

Given that it is a charismatic species, watching Magellanic woodpeckers (Campephilus magellanicus) is an increasingly popular ecotourism activity in the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve, southern Chile. To assess the impact of bird watching we experimentally tested the response of free-living woodpeckers to the simulated precense of a visitor. We monitored the number of: trees used, pecking, calls uttered, prey extracted, as well as the foraging height on trees, distance moved between trees, and the rate of movement toward the observer of focal birds. We recorded these variables by approaching seven male woodpeckers: first from a moderate distance (30-40 m) and then by constantly approaching the birds as a tourist would do. To test for habituation to tourists, this methodology was repeated five times on five individuals. 

Results/Conclusions

Results showed that only the pecking rate decreased significantly when the visitor appoached. Although not significantly, the number of calls and visited trees increased, as well as the distance traveled between trees. Additionally, the rate of movement toward the observer decreased when the woodpeckers were disturbed. Unexpectedly, woodpeckers showed no behavioral habituation to tourists. Our results suggest that watching Magellanic woodpeckers should be conducted from moderate distances, greater that 30 m.