Foraging behavior of two species of manakins (pipridae) in mixed-species flocks in Yasuní, Ecuador

Abstract:

I studied the membership and foraging behavior of Blue-crowned (Lepidothrix coronata) and White-crowned (Dixipbia pipra) manakins while accompanying mixed-species flocks in Yasuní National Park, Ecuadorian Amazonia. Observations were conducted during 2003-2004 in a 50-ha plot of evergreen tropical rainforest located in the south bank of the Tiputini River (00°40'S, 76°23'W, 273 m a.s.l.). Blue-crowned Manakins were found accompanying mixed-species flocks more often than White-crowned Manakins. The time that these species stayed within the mixed-species flocks (membership period) did not differ significantly between them. Also, Blue-crowned and White crowned manakins showed a similar foraging behavior within flocks. Both species performed similar manoeuvres, and did not differ in their foraging heights and substrates. This high resemblance is probably related to their similar morphology, body size and mating strategy in dispersed leks. In Blue-crowned Manakins, adult males and green-plumaged birds (females and juveniles) showed significant differences in the participation time within flocks. Green-plumaged birds foraged for a longer time within flocks than males. This fact suggests that females and juveniles participation with flocks could permit to capture insects, a proteic supplement, that could influence in the reproductive activities of this species.

Año de publicación:

2008

Keywords:

• Lepodothrix coronata
• Foraging behavior
• ECUADOR
• Mixed-species flocks
• Dixipbia pipra
• manakins
• amazonía

Fuente:

scopus