Descripción del nido, huevos y comportamientos reproductivos del gorrión-montés paisa (Atlapetes blancae)

Description of nest, eggs and reproductive behaviors of Antioquia Brushfinch (Atlapetes blancae)

Abstract

We present for the first time the record and description of nesting for the Atlapetes blancae, an endemic of Colombia and critically endangered species. The observation was made in the municipality of San Pedro de los Milagros-Antioquia, at 2530 m asl. We found the nest near the ground and on the edge of shrubbery, it had a low cup shape and was built with dry plant material (grass); inside were found two white eggs with reddish-brown spots concentrated towards the widest end. We also highlight some behaviors recorded during the incubation period. For example, the female always arrived at the nest through a bush of Baccharis nitida that was near the nest and never directly; the male made a "surveillance" in the upper part of the bushes near the nest while the female incubated; the male issued calls for the female to leave the nest and then vocalized in duo in the bushes as they moving away; the couple foraged several times in the nest area before the female entered her, among others. The observed characteristics of the nest and eggs are similar to those described for other species of the genus Atlapetes. However, the published information about reproduction in this genus is scarce. We emphasize the urgency of documenting the reproductive aspects of A. blancae and estimating of the reproductive success in this species, to further our understanding of threats that represent a threat to its long-term survival and better inform conservation actions for its protection and that of its habitat.