OBSERVATIONS ON THE PARENTAL CARE OF THE ORANGE-BELLIED EUPHONIA (EUPHONIA XANTHOGASTER)

Abstract

We present the first observations of parental care behaviors of the Orange-bellied Euphonia (Euphonia xanthogaster) using 246 hours of recorded observations from two nests found in February of 2002 and 2006 in tropical montane forest near the Yanayacu Biological Station in Cosanga, Ecuador. Recording at one nest began with the onset of incubation and continued through fledging while the other was recorded after hatch and through fledging. Observations of male and female attendance at the nest were used to analyze visit frequency and timing, duration, and differences in male and female investment in the reproductive effort. Incubation and brooding were done by the female while both adults shared feeding responsibilities. The first descriptions of nestling growth are reported and egg measurements from three Euphonia xanthogaster quitensis and three Euphonia xanthogaster brevirostris nests are also presented.