Water, Food Availability, and Anthropogenic Influence Determine the Nesting-Site Selection of a Desert-Dwelling Bird, Xinjiang Ground-Jay (Podoces biddulphi)

Nesting-site selection is an important aspect of the breeding process in birds, as it usually determines nesting and successes. Many factors can affect bird nest-site selection, including anthropogenic disturbance. In extreme desert environment, such Taklamakan Desert China, birds’ survival pressure high, especially for rare species Xinjiang Ground-jay (Podoces biddulphi). We studied this from March 2017 to May 2019. A Chi-square test, independent sample t-test, Mann–Whitney U-test, generalized linear models were applied possible Ground-jays. The main determining distances human settlements, water, edge oasis. Ground-jays nested near available water resources easier access, which arid environments. Individuals chose nest far oasis edges settlements increase food availability reduce interference activities, respectively. Overall, availability, influence affecting study. Therefore, these results suggest that there a trade-off between reproduction. Further studies are required verify whether similar site preferences may also apply other desert-dwelling species.