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Breeding observations on Buff-bellied Puffbird Notharchus swainsoni (Piciformes: Bucconidae) at Rancho Laguna Blanca, San Pedro Department, Paraguay

Breeding observations on Buff-bellied Puffbird Notharchus swainsoni (Piciformes: Bucconidae) at... Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 25(1): 20–23. SHORT-COMMUNICATION March 2017 Breeding observations on Buff-bellied Puffbir d Notharchus swainsoni (Piciformes: Bucconidae) at Rancho Laguna Blanca, San Pedro Department, Paraguay 1 1,2,3 Alexander Matthews & Paul Smith Para La Tierra, Centro IDEAL, Mariscal Estigarribia 321 c/ Tte. Capurro, Pilar, Dpto. Ñeembucú, Paraguay. FAUNA Paraguay, Encarnación, Paraguay. Corresponding author: faunaparaguay@gmail.com Received on 24 September 2016. Accepted on 27 April 2017. ABSTRACT: Aside from evidence of the Buff-bellied Puff bird Notharchus swainsoni nesting in arboreal termitaria, no breeding data is available. Here we present 100 days of observation of an active nest of the species in eastern Paraguay. The nest was active fro m late September to early December, and the two clutches observed were of three and four white eggs. After the first clutch failed a second one was laid. The incubation period was between 14–21 days and the fledgling period 30 days. The nest structure was cavity/ with-inclined-tunnel/simple/unlined. Parent birds fed the chicks an insectivorous diet and fiercely defended the nest. This is the first detailed breeding data published for the species. KEY-WORDS: behaviour, breeding season, eggs, re-nesting, reproduction. The Bucconidae or puffbir ds are a Neotropical family The breeding behaviour of Bucconids has attracted distributed from Mexico to Argentina, comprising 36 little attention from researchers. Like other members species in 10 genera (Clements et al. 2016). The bree ding of the genus, Buff-bellied Puff bird have been observed habits of the family are poorly known, though most to excavate nests in arboreal termitaria, but no further species are monogamous, territorial, and cavity or hole data on breeding in the species is available (Rasmussen nesters (Rasmussen & Collar 2002). The genus No tharchus & Collar 2002). Here we provide the first bree ding data consists of five large, distinctive, mainly black-and-white for this species from an area of interface between Atlantic plumaged species that are typical of forest and forest edge Forest and Cerrado at Rancho Laguna Blanca, San Pedro habitats. Little has been reported about breeding habits Department, eastern Paraguay, based on observations of a in this genus, but all known species are generally, though breeding pair from September to December 2015. not obligate, cavity nesters in arboreal termitaria (Skutch Rancho Laguna Blanca (23°48'43.6''S; 1948, Sick 1993, Rasmussen & Collar 2002, Mazzoni et 56°17'41.3''W; 200 m above sea level) in northern al. 2013, Vasconcelos et al. 2015). eastern Paraguay (Fig. 1) is an 804 ha private property Four species of puffbir d occur in Paraguay, including consisting of over 400 ha of near pristine Cerrado, a the Atlantic Forest endemic Buff-bellied Puff bird patch of degraded Atlantic Forest and areas of transitional Notharchus swainsoni (Gray, 1846) (Guyra Paraguay semideciduous, semihumid gallery forest. The four main 2004), which is distributed from southern Bahia to Santa Cerrado ecotopes are present and grow on a predominately Catarina in Brazil, and inland to eastern Paraguay and sandy substrate (Eiten 1972, 1978). The study area is Misiones Province in extreme northeastern Argentina based around an eponymously-named freshwater lake (Alvarenga et al. 2002). In Paraguay, it is an uncommon of 157 ha, which is possibly the only geologically true inhabitant of humid forests and their interface with lake in Paraguay (Guyra Paraguay 2008). The property Cerrado, east of the Rio Paraguay (Guyra Paraguay 2005). was designated as a Reserva Natural in 2010 for a period The distribution approximates to the area once covered by of five years, but this official protected status ended in the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest (Guyra Paraguay 2005). January 2015. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 25(1): 2017 Breeding of Buff-bellied Puff bird Notharchus swainsoni Matthews & Smith positioned in a fork created by the trunk splitting into two main branches of 93 and 66 cm girths. The entrance tunnel was at a height of 3.9 m above ground. The maximum exterior dimensions of the termitarium were 53 cm high, 32 cm between supporting branches and 51 cm between entrance and rearmost surface. The nest type can be classified as cavity/with-inclined-tunnel/simpl e/ unlined (sensu Simon & Pacheco 2005). Due to only minor differences in plumage between the adults, sexual identification was not attempted, although both birds were seen frequenting the termitarium and transporting small fragments of it away from the nest. During construction, termites could be observed within the nest cavity due to disruption of the structure by the birds. Repair work by the insects later maintained a nesting chamber separate from areas of insect activity. Eggs, incubation and nest period To avoid disturbance during the early stages of nesting, the cavity was not examined until 4 October. The narrow, approximately circular entrance tunnel was used for inspection of the nest chamber, using a mirror attached to a piece of strong wire. One egg was present at this Figure 1. Location of Rancho Laguna Blanca, San Pedro Department, eastern Paraguay. stage and a second was observed at a nest inspection four days later (8 October). The two ovular eggs were both Nest building brilliant white in colouration. Egg biometrics could not be obtained as the eggs could not be safely removed from The observation period was from 20 September to 22 the cavity without damage. December 2015 (method ad libitum, Altmann 1974). Both eggs were found broken (either predated or Observations began when tapping and scraping noises evicted) at the base of the nest tree on the morning of indicative of construction were audible from within the 14 October. An examination of the nest chamber at this nest, these continuing throughout the following five time revealed another egg inside the nest that had not days. The nest was in an active arboreal Nasutitermes been present during a nest examination two days earlier. sp. (Blattodea, Termitidae) termitarium situated in a However, this third egg was also found broken 3.6 m Copaifera langsdorfiii tree (Fabacaeae) (Fig. 2A). It was from the base of the tree on 23 October. No eggs were Figure 2. Notharchus swainsoni chick at nest entrance on 22 December 2015 (A). Author: A. Matthews. Fledgling Notharchus swainsoni (center) with parents on 18 December 2015 showing ontogenetic differences such as beak proportions, lack of clear breast band, pale orbital ring, and shorter tail (B). Photos: A. Matthews. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 25(1): 2017 Breeding of Buff-bellied Puff bird Notharchus swainsoni Matthews & Smith observed in the nest chamber between this point and 28 Fledging October, though the adults were frequently seen to visit the nest. However, four new eggs were found during a Fledging occurred on 18 December, giving a fledging nest inspection on 4 November. period of between 26 and 30 days. The first fledgling flew A hatchling was observed on 18 November, directly from the nest entrance to a nearby branch where indicating an incubation period of somewhere between adults were perched. Similar begging vocalisations induced 14–21 days (based on minimum and maximum estimates). feeding by the adults. At this stage the diet consisted A second hatchling was recorded on 20 November, and almost exclusively of cicadas (perhaps because of their a third on 22 November, suggesting approximately two abundance at this time of year). A second chick fledged day intervals between hatching dates. A fourth egg either four days later, on 22 December, leaving the termitarium failed to hatch or the chick was predated, as no remains when neither adult was present and flying directly towar ds were found during nest inspection after fledging. the observer, enabling it to be captured by hand. The A gaping nestling approached the nest entrance morphometrics of the chick, taken using a 30-cm ruler on 27 November. At this point adults were becoming and 100-g Pesola balance are as follows: mass = 74 g; increasingly aggressive towards observers. The adult birds Rtail = 53 mm; wing chord = 90 mm; tarsus length = 20 perched on branches close to the nest and swooped directly mm; culmen = 20 mm; bill gape to tip = 33 mm; bill nare at the observer's head, principally during insertion of the to tip = 18 mm. The fate of the thir d chick is unknown as mirror but also upon approach or retreat. On occasion, it was not observed to leave the nest, yet neither were any the birds would emit a short and inquisitive squawk remains found during the later nest inspection. whilst tilting their head before swooping from branches Fledglings generally resembled the adults but approximately 2 m from the nest. On two instances, the differed in the clearly shorter bill and tail, the lack of a bird collided with the observer's head during one of these dark breast band, and presence of a clear white orbital defensive manoeuvres and at this point nest examination ring. The bill lacked the obvious hooked tip of adults and was suspended to avoid undue stress. had an indistinctly paler tip (Fig. 2B). Nestling vocalisations first became audible on 29 November and were recorded on 1 December. These Nest structure vocalisations continued past the fledging stage and can be described as repetitive sequences of high-pitched squeaks, The termitarium was abandoned following fledging and varying slightly in pitch and frequency (recording was not used for roosting or refuge even during periods XC302843 at www.xeno-canto.org). Hourly monitoring of bad weather. On 28 December, the nest was dissected periods were undertaken intermittently during the mid- to obtain internal measurements of the nest chamber and developmental period to identify prey selection. The tunnel. The roughly hemispherical nest dimensions were observed diet of the nestlings was entirely insectivorous, collected using a 30-cm ruler, spirit level, and protractor and the following insect orders were recorded (number for tunnel incline. Its dimensions were as follows: of observations in parentheses): adult (2) and larval entrance tunnel diameter = 60 × 60 mm; upward incline (6) Lepidoptera, Coleoptera (4), Hymenoptera, of entrance tunnel = 50°; length of entrance tunnel = 160 mostly Vespoidea (11), Odonata (3), Orthoptera - mm; distance from entrance to rear of chamber = 320 grasshoppers, katydids (2), Blattodea - cockroaches mm; length of nest chamber = 160 mm; width of nest (2), Auchenorrhyncha, predominantly Cicadidae (11) chamber = 240 mm; height of nest chamber (range) = and Mantodea (2). The frequency of larger prey items, 60–110 mm. The interior of the nest chamber contained particularly cicadas, increased during the final stages of a large quantity of faecal matter. Arthropod remains were development. limited to small fragments of chitin from Coleopteran Adults captured arthropods primarily by foliage elytra; a fragment of a cicada head; three unidentified gleaning and sally-gleaning from a fixed perch. Bir ds pupae that were unlikely to be related to diet and some detected stationary prey and captured them on the termites that fell into the chamber during dissection of substrate, then returned either to a favoured perch or flew the nest. directly to the nest cavity to feed the nestlings. Favoured Due to the habit of nesting in conspicuous arboreal foraging perches were used repeatedly, although foraging termitaria, nests of this species are not infrequently was not always restricted to the proximity of the nest, encountered in Paraguay, but detailed nest descriptions as the adults would sometimes be absent from the area have never been provided and no accompanying breeding during the observation period. Neither adult fully entered data exists. Previous Paraguayan nests have been reported the cavity to feed the nestlings during the later stages of during September and October at heights of between 3.5 nesting, instead clinging to the entrance and awaiting the m and 12 m (Brooks et al. 1993, de la Peña 2010), but no approach of the nestlings. further information is available. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 25(1): 2017 Breeding of Buff-bellied Puff bird Notharchus swainsoni Matthews & Smith Excavation of this nest was already underway in late Laguna Blanca. P.S. was partly funded by the PRONI September, later than the only previous reported data for program of CONACYT. Paraguay where excavation was reported to occur during July and August (de la Peña 2010). Rasmussen & Collar REFERENCES (2002) note that breeding takes place during September and October, but do not provide a locality for the data. Altmann J. 1974. Observational study of behavior: sampling methods. However, the nest reported here was active for a much Behaviour 49: 227–267. longer period, with the first broo d corresponding to this Alvarenga H.M.F., Höfling E. & Silveira L.F. 2002. No tharchus season, but the resultant re-nesting following the loss of swainsoni (Gray, 1846) (Bucconidae) é uma espécie válida. the first clutch extending the dates by several months. Ararajuba 10: 73–77. Brightsmith D.J. 2004. Nest sites of termitarium nesting birds in SE This suggests that, at least in Paraguay, the breeding Peru. Ornitología Neotropical 15: 319–330. season may be much less restricted. Brooks T.M., Barnes R., Bartrina L., Butchart S.H.M., Clay R.P., Skutch (1948) observed a 10-day interval between Esquivel E.Z., Etcheverry N.I., Lowen J.C. & Vincent J. nest completion and egg laying in Black-breasted 1993. Project CANOPY ‘92: Final Report. Cambridge: BirdLife Puff birds Notharchus pectoralis (Gray, 1846) and the International Study Report 57. Clements J.F., Schulenberg T.S., Iliff M.J.,  Roberson D., Fredericks species was noted to lay three eggs at two day intervals T.A., Sullivan B.L. & Wood C.L. 2016. The Clements checklist in Panama, this being consistent with our observations. of birds of the world: v. 2016. http://www.birds.cornell.edu/ The only other species for which c lutch size has been clementschecklist/download/ (access on 26 April 2017). published in this genus is Pied Puff bird N. tectus de la Peña M.R. 2010. Guía de nidos de aves del Paraguay. Asunción: Guyra Paraguay. (Boddaert, 1783) which is reported to lay two eggs Eiten G. 1972. The Cerrado vegetation of Brazil. Botanical Review (Rasmussen & Collar 2002). Consequently the clutch 38: 201–341. of 3 and 4 eggs reported here is apparently larger than Eiten G. 1978. Delimitation of the Cerrado concept. Vegetatio 36: that reported for other species, though caution is needed 169–178. before drawing any firm conclusions because of the Faria D., Laps R.R., Baumgarten J. & Cetra M. 2006. Bat and bird assemblages from forests and shade cacao plantations in two limited data available. Anecdotal data suggests that a contrasting landscapes in the Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia, large nest volume and the presence of a healthy termite Brazil. Biodiversity and Conservation 15: 587–612. population are important selection criteria for nesting Guyra Paraguay. 2004. Lista comentada de las aves del Paraguay. birds (Brightsmith 2004). The presence of the insects Asunción: Guyra Paraguay. Guyra Paraguay. 2005. Atlas de las aves de Paraguay. Asunción: Guyra is an undoubted advantage due to their constant nest Paraguay. maintenance which preserves the structural integrity Guyra Paraguay. 2008. Áreas importantes para la conservación de las aves of the nest chamber (Brightsmith 2004, Mazzoni et al. del Paraguay. Asunción: Guyra Paraguay. 2013). The ecological ro le of termitarium cavity nesting Jullien M. & Cariveau D.P. 2001. First description of the nest of birds, particularly in secondary forest where large trees the Wing-banded Wren in French Guiana. Wilson Bulletin 113: 398–403. with natural cavities are rare, is an emerging area of Mazzoni L.G., Canuto M., Gomes, V.M. & Rodrigues, V.C. 2013. study (Vasconcelos et al. 2015). The construction of such Notes on the breeding biology of the Pied Puff bird Notharchus nests and their subsequent abandonment after use has tectus in southeastern Pará, Brazil. Atualidades Ornitológicas 171: been proven to provide secondary hollows for a diverse 24–25. Rasmussen P.C. & Collar N.J. 2002. Family Bucconidae (puffbir ds), fauna of other cavity-nesting species including amongst p. 102–138. In: del Hoyo J., Elliott A. & Sargatal J. (eds.). many others owls, certain hirundines and psittacids, and Handbook of the birds of the world v. 7 (jacamars to woodpeckers). even provides roosting opportunities for bats and small Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. mammals (Sick 1993, Jullien & Cariveau 2001, Faria Sick H. 1993. Birds in Brazil: a natural history. New Jersey: Princeton et al. 2006, Vasconcelos et al. 2015). The potential ro le University Press. Simon J.E. & Pacheco S. 2005. On the standardization of nest of excavators such as puffbir ds as keystone species in descriptions of Neotropical birds. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia fragmented secondary forest environments is thus worthy 13: 143–154. of additional study. Skutch A.F. 1948. Life history notes on puff-bir ds. Wilson Bulletin 60: 81–97. Vasconcelos M.F., Hoffmann D., Araújo M.C. & Vasconcelos P.N. 2015. Bird-termite interactions in Brazil: a review with ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS perspectives for future studies. Biota Neotropica 15: e20140035. P.L.T. would like to express its gratitude to Malvina Duarte for her support and permission to work at Rancho Associate Editor: Cristiano S. Azevedo. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 25(1): 2017 http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Ornithology Research Springer Journals

Breeding observations on Buff-bellied Puffbird Notharchus swainsoni (Piciformes: Bucconidae) at Rancho Laguna Blanca, San Pedro Department, Paraguay

Matthews, Alexander; Smith, Paul
Ornithology Research , Volume 25 (1) – Mar 1, 2017
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Abstract

Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 25(1): 20–23. SHORT-COMMUNICATION March 2017 Breeding observations on Buff-bellied Puffbir d Notharchus swainsoni (Piciformes: Bucconidae) at Rancho Laguna Blanca, San Pedro Department, Paraguay 1 1,2,3 Alexander Matthews & Paul Smith Para La Tierra, Centro IDEAL, Mariscal Estigarribia 321 c/ Tte. Capurro, Pilar, Dpto. Ñeembucú, Paraguay. FAUNA Paraguay, Encarnación, Paraguay. Corresponding author: faunaparaguay@gmail.com Received on 24 September 2016. Accepted on 27 April 2017. ABSTRACT: Aside from evidence of the Buff-bellied Puff bird Notharchus swainsoni nesting in arboreal termitaria, no breeding data is available. Here we present 100 days of observation of an active nest of the species in eastern Paraguay. The nest was active fro m late September to early December, and the two clutches observed were of three and four white eggs. After the first clutch failed a second one was laid. The incubation period was between 14–21 days and the fledgling period 30 days. The nest structure was cavity/ with-inclined-tunnel/simple/unlined. Parent birds fed the chicks an insectivorous diet and fiercely defended the nest. This is the first detailed breeding data published for the species. KEY-WORDS: behaviour, breeding season, eggs, re-nesting, reproduction. The Bucconidae or puffbir ds are a Neotropical family The breeding behaviour of Bucconids has attracted distributed from Mexico to Argentina, comprising 36 little attention from researchers. Like other members species in 10 genera (Clements et al. 2016). The bree ding of the genus, Buff-bellied Puff bird have been observed habits of the family are poorly known, though most to excavate nests in arboreal termitaria, but no further species are monogamous, territorial, and cavity or hole data on breeding in the species is available (Rasmussen nesters (Rasmussen & Collar 2002). The genus No tharchus & Collar 2002). Here we provide the first bree ding data consists of five large, distinctive, mainly black-and-white for this species from an area of interface between Atlantic plumaged species that are typical of forest and forest edge Forest and Cerrado at Rancho Laguna Blanca, San Pedro habitats. Little has been reported about breeding habits Department, eastern Paraguay, based on observations of a in this genus, but all known species are generally, though breeding pair from September to December 2015. not obligate, cavity nesters in arboreal termitaria (Skutch Rancho Laguna Blanca (23°48'43.6''S; 1948, Sick 1993, Rasmussen & Collar 2002, Mazzoni et 56°17'41.3''W; 200 m above sea level) in northern al. 2013, Vasconcelos et al. 2015). eastern Paraguay (Fig. 1) is an 804 ha private property Four species of puffbir d occur in Paraguay, including consisting of over 400 ha of near pristine Cerrado, a the Atlantic Forest endemic Buff-bellied Puff bird patch of degraded Atlantic Forest and areas of transitional Notharchus swainsoni (Gray, 1846) (Guyra Paraguay semideciduous, semihumid gallery forest. The four main 2004), which is distributed from southern Bahia to Santa Cerrado ecotopes are present and grow on a predominately Catarina in Brazil, and inland to eastern Paraguay and sandy substrate (Eiten 1972, 1978). The study area is Misiones Province in extreme northeastern Argentina based around an eponymously-named freshwater lake (Alvarenga et al. 2002). In Paraguay, it is an uncommon of 157 ha, which is possibly the only geologically true inhabitant of humid forests and their interface with lake in Paraguay (Guyra Paraguay 2008). The property Cerrado, east of the Rio Paraguay (Guyra Paraguay 2005). was designated as a Reserva Natural in 2010 for a period The distribution approximates to the area once covered by of five years, but this official protected status ended in the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest (Guyra Paraguay 2005). January 2015. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 25(1): 2017 Breeding of Buff-bellied Puff bird Notharchus swainsoni Matthews & Smith positioned in a fork created by the trunk splitting into two main branches of 93 and 66 cm girths. The entrance tunnel was at a height of 3.9 m above ground. The maximum exterior dimensions of the termitarium were 53 cm high, 32 cm between supporting branches and 51 cm between entrance and rearmost surface. The nest type can be classified as cavity/with-inclined-tunnel/simpl e/ unlined (sensu Simon & Pacheco 2005). Due to only minor differences in plumage between the adults, sexual identification was not attempted, although both birds were seen frequenting the termitarium and transporting small fragments of it away from the nest. During construction, termites could be observed within the nest cavity due to disruption of the structure by the birds. Repair work by the insects later maintained a nesting chamber separate from areas of insect activity. Eggs, incubation and nest period To avoid disturbance during the early stages of nesting, the cavity was not examined until 4 October. The narrow, approximately circular entrance tunnel was used for inspection of the nest chamber, using a mirror attached to a piece of strong wire. One egg was present at this Figure 1. Location of Rancho Laguna Blanca, San Pedro Department, eastern Paraguay. stage and a second was observed at a nest inspection four days later (8 October). The two ovular eggs were both Nest building brilliant white in colouration. Egg biometrics could not be obtained as the eggs could not be safely removed from The observation period was from 20 September to 22 the cavity without damage. December 2015 (method ad libitum, Altmann 1974). Both eggs were found broken (either predated or Observations began when tapping and scraping noises evicted) at the base of the nest tree on the morning of indicative of construction were audible from within the 14 October. An examination of the nest chamber at this nest, these continuing throughout the following five time revealed another egg inside the nest that had not days. The nest was in an active arboreal Nasutitermes been present during a nest examination two days earlier. sp. (Blattodea, Termitidae) termitarium situated in a However, this third egg was also found broken 3.6 m Copaifera langsdorfiii tree (Fabacaeae) (Fig. 2A). It was from the base of the tree on 23 October. No eggs were Figure 2. Notharchus swainsoni chick at nest entrance on 22 December 2015 (A). Author: A. Matthews. Fledgling Notharchus swainsoni (center) with parents on 18 December 2015 showing ontogenetic differences such as beak proportions, lack of clear breast band, pale orbital ring, and shorter tail (B). Photos: A. Matthews. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 25(1): 2017 Breeding of Buff-bellied Puff bird Notharchus swainsoni Matthews & Smith observed in the nest chamber between this point and 28 Fledging October, though the adults were frequently seen to visit the nest. However, four new eggs were found during a Fledging occurred on 18 December, giving a fledging nest inspection on 4 November. period of between 26 and 30 days. The first fledgling flew A hatchling was observed on 18 November, directly from the nest entrance to a nearby branch where indicating an incubation period of somewhere between adults were perched. Similar begging vocalisations induced 14–21 days (based on minimum and maximum estimates). feeding by the adults. At this stage the diet consisted A second hatchling was recorded on 20 November, and almost exclusively of cicadas (perhaps because of their a third on 22 November, suggesting approximately two abundance at this time of year). A second chick fledged day intervals between hatching dates. A fourth egg either four days later, on 22 December, leaving the termitarium failed to hatch or the chick was predated, as no remains when neither adult was present and flying directly towar ds were found during nest inspection after fledging. the observer, enabling it to be captured by hand. The A gaping nestling approached the nest entrance morphometrics of the chick, taken using a 30-cm ruler on 27 November. At this point adults were becoming and 100-g Pesola balance are as follows: mass = 74 g; increasingly aggressive towards observers. The adult birds Rtail = 53 mm; wing chord = 90 mm; tarsus length = 20 perched on branches close to the nest and swooped directly mm; culmen = 20 mm; bill gape to tip = 33 mm; bill nare at the observer's head, principally during insertion of the to tip = 18 mm. The fate of the thir d chick is unknown as mirror but also upon approach or retreat. On occasion, it was not observed to leave the nest, yet neither were any the birds would emit a short and inquisitive squawk remains found during the later nest inspection. whilst tilting their head before swooping from branches Fledglings generally resembled the adults but approximately 2 m from the nest. On two instances, the differed in the clearly shorter bill and tail, the lack of a bird collided with the observer's head during one of these dark breast band, and presence of a clear white orbital defensive manoeuvres and at this point nest examination ring. The bill lacked the obvious hooked tip of adults and was suspended to avoid undue stress. had an indistinctly paler tip (Fig. 2B). Nestling vocalisations first became audible on 29 November and were recorded on 1 December. These Nest structure vocalisations continued past the fledging stage and can be described as repetitive sequences of high-pitched squeaks, The termitarium was abandoned following fledging and varying slightly in pitch and frequency (recording was not used for roosting or refuge even during periods XC302843 at www.xeno-canto.org). Hourly monitoring of bad weather. On 28 December, the nest was dissected periods were undertaken intermittently during the mid- to obtain internal measurements of the nest chamber and developmental period to identify prey selection. The tunnel. The roughly hemispherical nest dimensions were observed diet of the nestlings was entirely insectivorous, collected using a 30-cm ruler, spirit level, and protractor and the following insect orders were recorded (number for tunnel incline. Its dimensions were as follows: of observations in parentheses): adult (2) and larval entrance tunnel diameter = 60 × 60 mm; upward incline (6) Lepidoptera, Coleoptera (4), Hymenoptera, of entrance tunnel = 50°; length of entrance tunnel = 160 mostly Vespoidea (11), Odonata (3), Orthoptera - mm; distance from entrance to rear of chamber = 320 grasshoppers, katydids (2), Blattodea - cockroaches mm; length of nest chamber = 160 mm; width of nest (2), Auchenorrhyncha, predominantly Cicadidae (11) chamber = 240 mm; height of nest chamber (range) = and Mantodea (2). The frequency of larger prey items, 60–110 mm. The interior of the nest chamber contained particularly cicadas, increased during the final stages of a large quantity of faecal matter. Arthropod remains were development. limited to small fragments of chitin from Coleopteran Adults captured arthropods primarily by foliage elytra; a fragment of a cicada head; three unidentified gleaning and sally-gleaning from a fixed perch. Bir ds pupae that were unlikely to be related to diet and some detected stationary prey and captured them on the termites that fell into the chamber during dissection of substrate, then returned either to a favoured perch or flew the nest. directly to the nest cavity to feed the nestlings. Favoured Due to the habit of nesting in conspicuous arboreal foraging perches were used repeatedly, although foraging termitaria, nests of this species are not infrequently was not always restricted to the proximity of the nest, encountered in Paraguay, but detailed nest descriptions as the adults would sometimes be absent from the area have never been provided and no accompanying breeding during the observation period. Neither adult fully entered data exists. Previous Paraguayan nests have been reported the cavity to feed the nestlings during the later stages of during September and October at heights of between 3.5 nesting, instead clinging to the entrance and awaiting the m and 12 m (Brooks et al. 1993, de la Peña 2010), but no approach of the nestlings. further information is available. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 25(1): 2017 Breeding of Buff-bellied Puff bird Notharchus swainsoni Matthews & Smith Excavation of this nest was already underway in late Laguna Blanca. P.S. was partly funded by the PRONI September, later than the only previous reported data for program of CONACYT. Paraguay where excavation was reported to occur during July and August (de la Peña 2010). Rasmussen & Collar REFERENCES (2002) note that breeding takes place during September and October, but do not provide a locality for the data. Altmann J. 1974. Observational study of behavior: sampling methods. However, the nest reported here was active for a much Behaviour 49: 227–267. longer period, with the first broo d corresponding to this Alvarenga H.M.F., Höfling E. & Silveira L.F. 2002. No tharchus season, but the resultant re-nesting following the loss of swainsoni (Gray, 1846) (Bucconidae) é uma espécie válida. the first clutch extending the dates by several months. Ararajuba 10: 73–77. Brightsmith D.J. 2004. Nest sites of termitarium nesting birds in SE This suggests that, at least in Paraguay, the breeding Peru. Ornitología Neotropical 15: 319–330. season may be much less restricted. Brooks T.M., Barnes R., Bartrina L., Butchart S.H.M., Clay R.P., Skutch (1948) observed a 10-day interval between Esquivel E.Z., Etcheverry N.I., Lowen J.C. & Vincent J. nest completion and egg laying in Black-breasted 1993. Project CANOPY ‘92: Final Report. Cambridge: BirdLife Puff birds Notharchus pectoralis (Gray, 1846) and the International Study Report 57. Clements J.F., Schulenberg T.S., Iliff M.J.,  Roberson D., Fredericks species was noted to lay three eggs at two day intervals T.A., Sullivan B.L. & Wood C.L. 2016. The Clements checklist in Panama, this being consistent with our observations. of birds of the world: v. 2016. http://www.birds.cornell.edu/ The only other species for which c lutch size has been clementschecklist/download/ (access on 26 April 2017). published in this genus is Pied Puff bird N. tectus de la Peña M.R. 2010. Guía de nidos de aves del Paraguay. Asunción: Guyra Paraguay. (Boddaert, 1783) which is reported to lay two eggs Eiten G. 1972. The Cerrado vegetation of Brazil. Botanical Review (Rasmussen & Collar 2002). Consequently the clutch 38: 201–341. of 3 and 4 eggs reported here is apparently larger than Eiten G. 1978. Delimitation of the Cerrado concept. Vegetatio 36: that reported for other species, though caution is needed 169–178. before drawing any firm conclusions because of the Faria D., Laps R.R., Baumgarten J. & Cetra M. 2006. Bat and bird assemblages from forests and shade cacao plantations in two limited data available. Anecdotal data suggests that a contrasting landscapes in the Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia, large nest volume and the presence of a healthy termite Brazil. Biodiversity and Conservation 15: 587–612. population are important selection criteria for nesting Guyra Paraguay. 2004. Lista comentada de las aves del Paraguay. birds (Brightsmith 2004). The presence of the insects Asunción: Guyra Paraguay. Guyra Paraguay. 2005. Atlas de las aves de Paraguay. Asunción: Guyra is an undoubted advantage due to their constant nest Paraguay. maintenance which preserves the structural integrity Guyra Paraguay. 2008. Áreas importantes para la conservación de las aves of the nest chamber (Brightsmith 2004, Mazzoni et al. del Paraguay. Asunción: Guyra Paraguay. 2013). The ecological ro le of termitarium cavity nesting Jullien M. & Cariveau D.P. 2001. First description of the nest of birds, particularly in secondary forest where large trees the Wing-banded Wren in French Guiana. Wilson Bulletin 113: 398–403. with natural cavities are rare, is an emerging area of Mazzoni L.G., Canuto M., Gomes, V.M. & Rodrigues, V.C. 2013. study (Vasconcelos et al. 2015). The construction of such Notes on the breeding biology of the Pied Puff bird Notharchus nests and their subsequent abandonment after use has tectus in southeastern Pará, Brazil. Atualidades Ornitológicas 171: been proven to provide secondary hollows for a diverse 24–25. Rasmussen P.C. & Collar N.J. 2002. Family Bucconidae (puffbir ds), fauna of other cavity-nesting species including amongst p. 102–138. In: del Hoyo J., Elliott A. & Sargatal J. (eds.). many others owls, certain hirundines and psittacids, and Handbook of the birds of the world v. 7 (jacamars to woodpeckers). even provides roosting opportunities for bats and small Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. mammals (Sick 1993, Jullien & Cariveau 2001, Faria Sick H. 1993. Birds in Brazil: a natural history. New Jersey: Princeton et al. 2006, Vasconcelos et al. 2015). The potential ro le University Press. Simon J.E. & Pacheco S. 2005. On the standardization of nest of excavators such as puffbir ds as keystone species in descriptions of Neotropical birds. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia fragmented secondary forest environments is thus worthy 13: 143–154. of additional study. Skutch A.F. 1948. Life history notes on puff-bir ds. Wilson Bulletin 60: 81–97. Vasconcelos M.F., Hoffmann D., Araújo M.C. & Vasconcelos P.N. 2015. Bird-termite interactions in Brazil: a review with ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS perspectives for future studies. Biota Neotropica 15: e20140035. P.L.T. would like to express its gratitude to Malvina Duarte for her support and permission to work at Rancho Associate Editor: Cristiano S. Azevedo. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 25(1): 2017

Journal

Ornithology Research – Springer Journals

Published: Mar 1, 2017

Keywords: behaviour; breeding season; eggs; re-nesting; reproduction

References

  • Observational study of behavior: sampling methods
    Altmann, J
  • Nest sites of termitarium nesting birds in SE Peru
    Brightsmith, DJ
  • The Cerrado vegetation of Brazil
    Eiten, G
  • Delimitation of the Cerrado concept
    Eiten, G
  • Bat and bird assemblages from forests and shade cacao plantations in two contrasting landscapes in the Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia, Brazil
    Faria, D; Laps, RR; Baumgarten, J; Cetra, M
  • First description of the nest of the Wing-banded Wren in French Guiana
    Jullien, M; Cariveau, DP
  • Notes on the breeding biology of the Pied Puffbird Notharchus tectus in southeastern Pará, Brazil
    Mazzoni, LG; Canuto, M; Gomes, VM; Rodrigues, VC
  • Family Bucconidae (puffbirds)
    Rasmussen, PC; Collar, NJ; del Hoyo, J; Elliott, A; Sargatal, J
  • On the standardization of nest descriptions of Neotropical birds
    Simon, JE; Pacheco, S
  • Life history notes on puff-birds
    Skutch, AF
  • Bird-termite interactions in Brazil: a review with perspectives for future studies
    Vasconcelos, MF; Hoffmann, D; Araújo, MC; Vasconcelos, PN