Multiscaled Habitat Selection by Elegant Trogons in Southeastern Arizona

The elegant trogon (Trogon elegans) is a rare Neotropical migrant bird that occurs in southeastern Arizona, where very little is known about this species in regards to potential threats to it, or habitat resources used by it. Consequently, we studied habitat selection by the elegant trogon at 4 spatial scales (mountain range, canyon, home range, nest site) in southeastern Arizona to determine what resources constituted high-quality habitat (i.e., areas related to successful breeding and persistence of elegant trogons). At the broadest scales, elegant trogons were found in 4 mountain ranges, in canyons where there were sycamore trees (Platanus wrightii) in riparian areas, and mesquite (Prosopis spp.) in upland areas. Within home ranges, radiotagged elegant trogons used both riparian and upland areas, and successfully breeding elegant trogons used areas with dense understory vegetation. Nest sites were primarily located in sycamore trees and oaks (Quercus spp.) in riparian areas. Across all scales, elegant trogons were associated with variables describing sycamores, oaks, and pines (Pinus spp.), which indicated the importance of these trees as resources. We suggest management of elegant trogons in Arizona will require consideration of whole watersheds because elegant trogons use both riparian and upland zones, and management should include maintenance of high water tables in canyons to promote growth and recruitment of sycamore trees.