Notes on the breeding biology of Rufous Potoos (Nyctibius bracteatus) in lowland Ecuadorian Amazon

Abstract

Five species of potoos occur in Ecuador, with Rufous Potoos (Nyctibius bracteatus) being one of the least known. We monitored a nest site of Rufous Potoos in a lowland forest in the Ecuadorian Amazon and provide information about the behavior of a nestling and one or more adults. Observations were conducted opportunistically from 10 August to 10 September 2018, and an infrared heat-and-motion activated camera was used to monitor the nest site from 11 September to 13 November 2018. We recorded 2006 10-s videos of the nestling and/or adult(s) that we used to quantify behavior. The nestling spent most of its time perching (53%) and stretching (20.7%). Beginning when~23 d old, the nestling began exercising its flight muscles and did so with increasing frequency over time. Adult behaviors included perching while brooding the nestling (55%), stretching (24%), flying (10.4%), and feeding the nestling (10.4%). The duration of the nestling period,~2 mo, in our study was similar to that reported previously for this species. Our observations suggest that the breeding and nestling behavior of Rufous Potoos is similar to that of other Nyctibius species. However, additional studies are needed to better document the behavior of Rufous Potoos during the incubation period. RESUMEN.Notas sobre la biolog ıa reproductiva del Nictibio Rufo (Nyctibius bracteatus) en bosque de tierras bajas ecuatoriano Cinco especies de Nictibios ocurren en el Ecuador, siendo el Nictibio Rufo (Nyctibius bracteatus) uno de los menos conocidos. Monitoreamos un nido de Nictibio Rufo en un bosque de tierras bajas en la Amazon ıa ecuatoriana y reportamos informaci on acerca de comportamiento del polluelo y uno o m as adultos. Se realizaron observaciones de manera oportunista desde 10 agosto hasta 10 septiembre 2018 y, se utiliz o una c amara trampa desde 11 septiembre hasta 13 noviembre 2018 para monitoreo del nido. La c amara registr o 2006 videos de 10-seg del polluelo y/o adulto(s) que fueron usados para cuantificar comportamiento. El polluelo pas o la mayor parte del tiempo perchado en el arbol (53%) y estir andose (20.7%). A los~23 d ıas de edad, el polluelo comenz o a ejercitar los m usculos de vuelo, incrementando en frecuencia con el tiempo. Los comportamientos de adultos incluyen perchado en el arbol mientras empolla (55%), estiramiento (24%), vuelo (10.4%) y alimentaci on del polluelo (10.4%). La duraci on de los per ıodos de crianza, 2 meses, en nuestro estudio fue similar a lo reportado anteriormente para la especie. Nuestras observaciones sugieren que la anidaci on y comportamiento del polluelo de Nictibio Rufo es similar a otras especies de Nyctibius. Sin embargo, estudios adicionales son necesarios para entender de mejor manera el comportamiento de Nictibios rufo durante el per ıodo de incubaci on.

Breeding ecology of Rufous Potoo Nyctibius bracteatus in central Amazonian Brazil

“…The adult also rocked when a group of monkeys (Brown Capuchin Sapajus apella) passed over the nest and when an understorey mixed-species flock came close. Similar behaviour was observed by Vinueza-Hidalgo et al (2019) in Ecuador, with the bird adopting an alarm posture (slow rocking motion) when approached too closely. On 19 October the chick was alone on the nest for the first time (Fig.…”

“…Rufous Potoo lays a single egg sited atop a smaller tree stump (Cohn-Haft 1989, Cisneros-Heredia 2006, Ingels et al 2008. A recent study suggested that reproductive ecology and behaviour recall those of other potoos, but reinforced the need for additional studies (Vinueza-Hidalgo et al 2019). Here we present novel data on the species' breeding, based on observations at three nests in central Amazonian Brazil, and discuss egg morphology, parental care, and nestling appearance, development and behaviour.…”