A NEST OF CLUB-WINGED MANAKIN MACHAEROPTERUS DELICIOSUS IN NORTHWEST ECUADOR

Abstract

The Club-winged Manakin Machaeropterus deliciosus is an iconic Pipridae species due to its display behavior, including unique mechanical sounds produced by vibrating modified wing feathers. However, its nesting biology remains poorly known. We present a detailed description of one nest studied in northwest Ecuador in June–July 2021. We provide new information on incubation and maternal care. The nest was a low cup/fork sited on three forks, covered with moss, built 90 cm above the ground and at 50 m distance from a lekking site. The female had high nest attentiveness during the incubation period but decreased markedly in the first nine days post-hatching. The nest produced two juveniles that fledged 16 days after hatching. The breeding biology of this species remains poorly studied, so we recommend further research, including protracted monitoring of nests to understand important aspects of M. deliciosus breeding biology, including incubation period, attendance rates, and nesting success.