Natural history and breeding biology of the Rusty-breasted Antpitta (Grallaricula ferrugineipectus)

Wilson Journal of Ornithology
By: , and 

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Abstract

We provide substantial new information on the breeding biology of the Rusty-breasted Antpitta (Grallaricula ferrugineipectus ferrugineipectus) from 40 nests during four consecutive breeding seasons at Yacambu National Park in Venezuela. Vocalizations are quite variable in G. ferrugineipectus. Nesting activity peaked in April when laying began for half of all nests monitored. The date of nest initiation pattern suggests this species is single-brooded. Both parents incubate and the percent of time they incubate is high (87-99%) throughout the incubation period. The incubation period averaged (?? SE) 17.0 ?? 0.12 days, while the nestling period averaged 13.37 ?? 0.37 days. G. f. ferrugineipectus has the shortest developmental time described for its genus. Time spent brooding nestlings decreased as nestlings grew, but was still greater at pin feather break day than observed in north temperate species. The growth rate constant based on mass (k = 0.41) and tarsus length (k = 0.24) was lower than the k for north temperate species of similar adult mass. All nesting mortality was caused by predation and overall daily survival rate (?? SE) was relatively low (0.94 ?? 0.01) yielding an estimated 15% nest success.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Natural history and breeding biology of the Rusty-breasted Antpitta (Grallaricula ferrugineipectus)
Series title Wilson Journal of Ornithology
DOI 10.1676/07-007.1
Volume 120
Issue 2
Year Published 2008
Language English
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Wilson Journal of Ornithology
First page 345
Last page 352
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