Cooperative Breeding in the Endemic Madagascan Chabert's VangaLeptopterus chabert

Abstract

The family Vangidae provides one of the most striking examples of adaptive radiation in the Madagascan avifauna, nevertheless, basic information on the breeding biology of many species remains lacking. To examine the breeding system of the endemic Madagascan Chabert's Vanga Leptopterus chabert, we studied the contributions made by adults to nest building, incubating, brooding, and feeding the young at six nests. The study was conducted during November and December in 1999, 2000, and 2005 at Ankarafantsika Strict Nature Reserve. During the nest-building stage, two adults (perhaps a heterosexual pair) delivered nest materials. Two adults participated in incubating and brooding. During the nestling period, several (3–4) adults delivered food (mainly bees, dragonflies, and moths) to the nestlings at two nests. They also mobbed animals that approached the nest. During the post-fledging period, several (3–4) adults fed the fledglings in two family groups. These observations suggest that Chabert's Vangas are cooperative breeders in which several adults feed the young of one brood.