The nest, nestlings and morphometrics of Sapphire-spangled Emerald Amazilia lactea bartletti

Abstract

The Sapphire-spangled Emerald Amazilia lactea complex is currently represented by three subspecies with disjunct geographical ranges. A. l. bartletti occurs over a limited portion of south-western Amazonia in Brazil, south-east Peru and northern Bolivia, and is a very little-known taxon in nature. We present data on the breeding and biometrics of this race based on six nests found between 1999 and 2019, and 58 adult individuals captured between 2010 and 2018 in eastern Acre state, Brazil. The nest of A. l. bartletti is a low cup / base type, constructed primarily of kapok wool and decorated with lichens on the outer walls. The nestling period was estimated at 18–20 days. Our data indicate that A. l. bartletti breeds from at least December until March.