A novel nest architecture within the furnariidae: First nests of the white-browed spinetail

Abstract

The White-browed Spinetail (Hellmayrea gularis), of the Andean cloud forests, is the sole member of the genus Hellmayrea, and its phylogenetic relationships are still unresolved. The diversity of nest architectures in the family Furnariidae provides many phylogenetically informative characters; however, information on the nest of this enigmatic genus is lacking. Here, we describe four nests of Hellmayrea discovered in Ecuador. All nests were embedded within hanging masses of epiphytic moss, but were not pendulous, being supported from below or by stems incorporated in side walls. All nests were balls with a side entrance, externally built of green moss and internally of dry bamboo leaves. The bottom of the chamber was lined with Tillandsia seed down and, in one nest, tree-fern scales were also used. These first nests of Hellmayrea represent a type of nest architecture previously unknown in the family Furnariidae. © The Cooper Ornithological Society 2008.