Effects of habitat, season and flood on corvid scavenging dynamics in Central Australia

Carrion is an ubiquitous resource that drives the dynamics of scavenger populations and shapes structure composition their communities. Corvids (Family: Corvidae) are among most common scavengers globally, facilitating carcass discovery by other species contributing to biomass removal. Here, we examine how environmental factors influence corvid scavenging in arid region Central Australia. Specifically, investigate habitat, season a major flood event affect visitation time, group size around sites. To do so, used data collected from camera traps monitoring 80 experimentally positioned red kangaroo (Osphranter rufus) carcasses stratified across closed open habitats, spring winter seasons, before after event. took longer discover compared but habitat did not long corvids spent visiting carcasses, or size. discovered faster post-flood with pre-flood periods, interacted both time Our results reflect complex interplay between temperature, extreme boom bust cyclicity study changing activity abundance local area. We identify as key determinants provide first detailed description zone