Annual Patterns of Molt and Reproductive Activity of Passerines in South-Central Brazil

Abstract

Abstract We analyzed the occurrence of molt and brood patches in resident passerines from four localities in south-central Brazil. The annual patterns of molt and reproductive activity were very similar among the sites. Brood patches first appeared in August, but were most common between October and January, with a peak in November, early in the rainy season. Molt started in October but was most widespread from the middle to the end of the rainy season, between December and April with a peak in February. Timing of the appearance of brood patches was not related to trophic guild (insectivores, frugivores, omnivores). Molt of flight feathers started at the end of the reproductive period, which varied slightly among trophic guilds. Molt and brood patch overlap occurred in little more than 4% of individual birds, or in less than 2% considering just those molting flight feathers. This overlap occurred mostly between November and February. Regional environmental factors, instead of local factors, seem to be res...