Nesting of the Peuquito in the Temperate Forests of the Andean Araucanía
The peuquito is a bird of prey that lives in the temperate forests of Chile and Argentina. Despite being a little-known bird, it plays a fundamental role in the ecological dynamics of the ecosystems it inhabits. In a recent study published in the journal La Chiricoca and entitled "Nesting of the Peuquito in the Temperate Forests of the Andean Araucanía" and developed by Álvaro Escobar, the monitoring of a nest during the 2021-2022 season in Bosque Pehuén (Alto Palguín, Andean Araucania) is described. The objective of this study is to contribute to the knowledge about the reproduction of this species that, being a top predator, plays a fundamental role in the ecological dynamics of these forests. To carry out this study, periodic visits to the nest were made in order to monitor and analyze the nesting habitat, the state of development and behavior of the chicks, parental care, prey and any other aspect that has been considered relevant. The results of this research revealed valuable information on the nesting preferences of these birds, demonstrating that they prefer forests with a regular structure,of similar age, with closed crowns and presence of understory. In addition, the importance of private conservation initiatives is highlighted, such as Bosque Pehuén, which provide adequate habitat conditions for the development of this species.
