First nesting records of the Moustached Antpitta (Grallaria alleni)

Abstract

Here we describe the first nesting records of the Moustached Antpitta (Grallaria alleni). We found two nests in sub-Andean forests in the Central Andes of Colombia at 1,800 m and in northwestern Ecuador at 1,900 m elevation during November 1995 and March 1999. Both nests were bulky structures with an open deep cup, made with moist plant material, including damp dead leaves, fresh mosses, rootlets, and small stems and fibers. The eggs were aquamarine and the nestlings were covered by dark gray down and had vermilion bills and gapes. Nests of G. alleni are similar to the nests of the closely related G. guatimalensis in construction and dimensions. This note contributes new information on this endangered and poorly known species.