Abstract
The Thamnophilidae are one of the most speciose Neotropical bird families, yet aspects of their natural history remain poorly documented. Here we provide information on breeding phenology, the length of incubation and nestling periods, parental care, and nesting success of the Star-throated Antwren, Rhopias gularis, an Atlantic Forest endemic. The data are discussed in light of life history theories. We found 27 active nests during two breeding seasons (2013/2014 and 2014/2015) at Carlos Botelho State Park in southeastern Brazil. Nesting activities were observed from September to January. Incubation and nestling periods lasted 16.8 ± 0.6 and 11.0 ± 0.86 days, respectively, as with most other antbirds. Males and females shared equally in incubation and nestling provisioning. The small clutch size of two eggs is that most commonly found in tropical birds and is hypothesized to have evolved due to increased nest predation rates. However, our data was not consistent with this hypothesis as the nest survival probability was high (57%). This is one of only a handful of studies that provide comprehensive information on the breeding biology of a Thamnophilid species in undisturbed habitat.
Highlights
The Thamnophilidae Swainson, 1824 are a family of over two hundred species endemic to the Neotropical region and includes the typical antbirds
In 2013, the first nest was found on 24 October, with an adult incubating two eggs, and the last nest abandoned on 10 January 2014
In 2014 the first nest was found on 2 September with 1 egg, and the last nestling fledged on 8 January 2015
Summary
The Thamnophilidae Swainson, 1824 are a family of over two hundred species endemic to the Neotropical region and includes the typical antbirds. Their diversity is greatest in the Amazon basin, where they are mainly found in the forest understory and subcanopy (Ridgely and Tudor, 1994). Parental care is described for these species as well as the Fulvous-bellied Antwren, Epinecrophylla fulviventris (Lawrence, 1862) (Skutch, 1946, 1969). These were based on only a few nests and the breeding phenology was not determined
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