Survival and movements of brown‐headed nuthatches after translocation to the Missouri Ozarks

The brown-headed nuthatch (Sitta pusilla) was likely extirpated from Missouri in the early 1900s as a result of habitat loss through extensive logging. Conservation partners including Department Conservation, United States Forest Service, University Missouri, and others, relocated 102 nuthatches Ouachita National Arkansas to Mark Twain 2020 2021 establish local population. We tracked 50 individuals for 24 ± 11 (median SD) days after release using radio telemetry monitored movements relation sex whether bird captured alone or part group. examined 25-day survival spatial Cormack Jolly Seber (sCJS) model account dispersal outside our study area. All birds survived capture, transport, release. estimate 0.56 (95% CI = 0.36–0.78) 0.68 0.46–0.89) 2021. Mean total distance moved following 5,670 (SD 3,407) m mean daily movement 243 135) which less than estimated sCJS (420 m, SD 221). Our short-term monitoring suggests initial success translocation, but continued is needed evaluate long-term success. analysis approach, included data, illustrates importance considering when estimating survival.