Nesting behavior of Todirostrum poliocephalum (Wied, 1831) (Rhynchocyclidae) in southeastern Brazil

The Yellow-lored Tody-flycatcher Todirostrum poliocephalum is a passerine bird endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest with a poorly characterized natural history. This study aimed to describe its nesting behavior over one annual reproductive period. Data were collected from nineteen nests in forest fragments and disturbed areas in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, with eleven nests systematically monitored at two to five day intervals. Nests were dome-shaped, suspended from the upper part, externally made of fine plant fibers and dry grasses, bound with spider webs. Tree bark, mosses and lichens are used as nest-adornment, and nests are internally lined with kapok and feathers. On average, nests were at 3.5 m above the ground and were built over a 16 day period by both adults, as has been reported for other species of the genus. Clutch sizes ranged from two to three eggs, with a mean of 2.9 eggs. Eggs roughly measured 16.6 × 12.1 mm and weighed 1.2 g. The incubation period was approximately 17 days and nestling period was approximately 15 days. Apparent reproductive success occurred in 36.4% of observed nests, while predation was the main cause of nests loss (36.4 %). According to the Mayfield method of calculation, overall reproductive success was 28.7% and daily survival rate for eggs and nestlings was 0.955 and 0.984, respectively. The present study contributes to the understanding of basic and not previously described reproductive aspects of the species, and discusses the influence of latitude on the reproductive patterns of the genus.