Biologia Reprodutiva de Megaceryle torquata (AVES, ALCEDINIDAE) em Fragmento Florestal do Campus Marco Zero da Universidade Federal do Amapá

Abstract

We report the reproductive biology of Megaceryle torquata in forest fragment at the Universidade Federal do Amapá. 24 nests were monitored between March 2004 and February 2005, observed at intervals of 2-4 days. The observations were made from fixed points situated in front of the nests. The reproductive season of M. torquata coincidedwith the onset of the rainy season that extends from December to July. The construction of nests started in December. The observation of copulation was recorded only once in embaúba (Cecropia sp.), when a male stayed on the back of the female during roughly 7 seconds. In the biometric analysis of nestlings, we used three females that were already in a well advanced stage of development, with more feathers covering about 85% of the body. The feeding of nestlings consisted mainly of fish (Hoplias malabaricus and Geophagus brasiliensis), captured off the nesting areas. The frequency of feeding nestlings was made by the couple, with the highest rate achieved by the males. The major period of activity occurred in the nesting area from 07:00 to 11:00 hours, a period also of higher calling activity of the nestlings.