LAUSR

The European Starling, Sturnus vulgaris, is a hole-nesting bird introduced in Argentina that can displace other species from their nests. We recorded 3 attempts of nest usurpation of native birds, Rufous Hornero (Furnarius rufus), Golden-breasted Woodpecker (Colaptes melanochloros) and Field Flicker Woodpecker (C. campestris) during 2010 and 2011 breeding seasons in Pereyra Iraola Park. Additionally, we observed 2 pairs of starlings breeding in cavities that woodpeckers were building in the previous days. Starlings also used cavities of the Reddish-bellied Parakeet (Pyrrhura frontalis), the White-eyed Parakeet Psittacara leucophtalmus —traslocated species—, the Tropical Screech-owl (Megascops choliba) and the Field Flicker Woodpecker —native species—. These observations warn about the chance of competition for the use of this resource between the European starling and native hole-nesting birds of Argentina.