First description of the nest, eggs, young, and breeding behavior of the Great Antpitta (Grallaria excelsa)

Kofoed, E.M. and Auer, S.K. (2004) First description of the nest, eggs, young, and breeding behavior of the Great Antpitta (Grallaria excelsa). Wilson Bulletin, 116(1), pp. 105-108. (doi: 10.1676/03-093)

Abstract

We provide the first description of the nest, eggs, young, and breeding behavior of the Great Antpitta (Grallaria excelsa) in Yacambu National Park, Venezuela. The nests (n = 3) were large, bulky, open-cup structures composed of a dense assortment of live and dead mosses, rootlets, wet leaves, small stems, detritus, and live and dead fern fronds, and were lined with a thick mesh of black rootlets and rhizomorphs. Nests were built >3.8 m above the ground in live trees where dense clusters of aroid plants, epiphytes, and lianas secured them to either a vertical fork or against the trunk itself. Both adults participated in nest building; incubating two unmarked, turquoise eggs; and feeding nestlings. Mean nest attentiveness (time spent on the nest/total video time when corrected for human disturbance) was 98.8 ± 1.8% SD, and nestling feeding rates were low (one visit by each adult/5 hr total video time).

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Auer, Dr Sonya
• Authors: Kofoed, E.M., and Auer, S.K.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Wilson Bulletin
• ISSN: 0043-5643