Revealing avian behaviour: Human impacts on psittacines (Aves: Psittacidae) during a breeding season in Paraguay’s Cerrado

Human activities, including ecotourism and research, can significantly impact wildlife behaviour during reproductive season, yet their effects are often underestimated. We conducted a study on psittacines in the Cerrado of Concepción, Paraguay, during the breeding season, focusing on responses to human presence. A total of 232 observations of nine psittacine species were recorded, with varied behavioural responses to human activities. Larger species exhibited higher flight initiation distances (FID), reflecting possible increased sensitivity. Notably, ecotourism and cavity monitoring correlated with birds flying away, emphasizing potential negative impacts. Conversely, activities like counting and remote photography showed positive correlations with relaxed avian behaviours. Our findings highlight the importance of considering human activities' nuances, especially during critical periods like breeding seasons, to minimize disturbance and promote coexistence with wildlife. Further studies are needed to understand behaviour better and we recommend adopting precautionary measures, such as limiting interventions during sensitive reproductive phases, to contribute to the well-being and conservation of psittacine species.