Breeding biology of Yellow-browed Antbird Hypocnemis hypoxantha

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Brooks, D. M., P. Aibar, P. Bucur, R. Rossi, and H. F. Greeney. 2016. Breeding biology of Yellow-browed Antbird Hypocnemis hypoxantha. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 136:156–161.

Abstract: We provide novel data concerning the nests, eggs and parental care of Yellow-browed Antbird Hypocnemis hypoxantha based on two nests in eastern Ecuador and Peruvian Amazonia, one of which was video-taped. Both adults participated in incubation, with earliest and latest feeding events at 06.11 h and 17.22 h, respectively. Feeding behaviour is described, with intervals of 1–114 minutes (mean = 38.3 minutes) and tettigoniid cicadas the primary prey. Nestlings frequently produced faecal sacs (interval range = 4–132 minutes, mean = 37.8 minutes) immediately following food delivery, and the sac was always carried from the nest by an adult. Two events involving a parent bird being chased from the nest are described, the first involving a male Fulvous Antshrike Frederickena fulva. Systematics are discussed in light of nest morphology and architecture.