Breeding behavior of the Atlantic forest endemic Blue Manakin (Chiroxiphia caudata)

Abstract

ABSTRACT.— Manakins are small frugivorous birds found in the understory of humid Neotropical forests. Although aspects of their complex sexual displays have been addressed in various studies, their nesting biology is poorly documented. The Blue Manakin (Chiroxiphia caudata) is characterized by a cooperative courtship display but knowledge about its reproduction is limited to descriptions of the nest and eggs. We investigated 36 active nests during two breeding seasons in a well-preserved stretch of Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil. Nests were shallow cups attached at their rim to horizontal forks in bushes or saplings with slender branches and were usually built over or close to forest streams. Reproductive activities were recorded from October to February and clutches were invariably consisted of two eggs. The incubation period was 18 days; nestling periods varied from 15 to 16 days, and estimated overall nesting success was 34%. Comparisons of nest architecture, egg color, and nestling characteris...