Breeding ecology of the endemic, Madagascan, Velvet Asity Philepitta castanea

Abstract

ABSTRACT Breeding ecology of the endemic Velvet Asity Philepitta castanea was studied in the rainforests of Ranomafana, southeastern Madagascar, from October 1990 to January 1991 and Masoala Peninsula, northeastern Madagascar, from October 2000 to February 2001. All three pear-shaped nests discovered during our study were placed at the end of hanging branches (6–8 m above the ground) of Tambourissa spp. (Monimiaceae) and Cryptocarya spp. (Lauraceae). Two female-plumaged birds participated in nest building in Ranomafana, whereas at two nests studied in Masoala one adult black male and one female participated. In the two study areas, only one adult female was seen to incubate and to take care of the young. The nestling period lasted about 17 days; the young were fed by a female-plumaged bird with prepared fruits of Tambourissa spp. and Aphloya theaformis shrubs (in Ranomafana). Strongly marked sexual differences, non-similar sex roles and male territorial attendance with displays, show that P. castanea has ...