The behaviour of Athene cunicularia (Molina 1782) on the coast of Santa Catarina, Brazil, and the influence of urbanization on daily activity

Abstract

The intensification of port and tourist activities in the coastal region of the northern center of Santa Catarina, Brazil, has led to urban expansion and the loss of natural ecosystems, bringing the urban environment closer to the dune regions. Birds are sensitive to these changes, but some species, such as the burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), have shown adaptability to urban environments. The aim of this study was to analyze the behavioral patterns of the burrowing owl in different urbanized areas near the dunes and assess the impact of local urbanization on alarm emission. The study focused on the beaches of Interpraias-Balneário Camboriú, Central-Navegantes, Península-Barra Velha, and Brava-Itajaí. The data analysis involved Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn's post hoc tests to compare alarm distances, as well as calculating relative frequencies of different behaviors. Discriminant Analysis (LDA), PERMANOVA, and SIMPER were also applied. A total of 214 h of observation were conducted across the sampled beaches. The results indicated significant differences in alarm behavior distances, with Barra Velha and Itajaí standing out from the other areas, highlighting the influence of urbanization on alarm behavior. Six categories of behavior were identified: rest, alarm, body maintenance, burrow maintenance, social interaction, and foraging, with distinct frequencies observed during the day and night. Notably, the frequency of foraging behavior was significantly higher during the night.