Non-galliform birds’ attraction to soil mounds outside Chinese pangolin burrows

Abstract The Chinese pangolin ( Manis pentadactyla ) is typically conserved as a flagship species, but its ecological functions, particularly its interactions with birds, remain underexplored. This study used infrared camera traps to investigate the ecological interactions between the Chinese pangolin and bird species in the Junzifeng National Nature Reserve in southern China. To test the hypothesis that the soil mounds created by the burrowing activity of the Chinese pangolin might be highly attractive to birds, infrared cameras were installed at both fresh pangolin burrows and random detection sites. The study analyzed differences in bird species diversity, activity rhythms between the Chinese pangolin and birds, and foraging behavior patterns of birds on the soil mounds. Results revealed higher bird species diversity and biodiversity indices in the experimental group compared to the control group, particularly among non-galliform birds. The Chinese pangolin exhibited nocturnal activity, while birds were active during the day, indicating temporal segregation. Among the observed bird species, none exhibited burrow-entry behavior, but nine demonstrated foraging behavior, with a significantly higher foraging ratio among non-galliform birds. This study provides the first evidence that non-galliform birds are attracted to soil mounds created by Chinese pangolin burrows, suggesting the pangolin’s potential role as a keystone species in the local ecosystem. Further research is necessary to explore the mechanisms underlying this attraction.