[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]
By: Eunice Jean C. Patron
Many birds rely on tree cavities, or tree holes, for nesting and raising their young. Woodpeckers, known as primary excavators, can create their own cavities. In contrast, non-excavators—also called secondary cavity nesters—depend on naturally occurring or previously excavated cavities for reproduction. These birds face challenges such as a scarcity of suitable cavities, which can limit their population growth. To protect them, it is important to understand the specific nesting needs of each bird species and how they interact with one another. In regions like the Philippines, where forests are vulnerable to change, there is still limited information on how these birds nest and how they are connected.