Influência da estacionalidade no comportamento de corte de Pipra rubrocapilla (Passeriformes: Pipridae) em um remanescente de Mata Atlântica no Estado de Pernambuco

Abstract

The presence of the dry and ramy seasons regulates the behavior of many birds, which synchronize the breeding season according to these different conditions. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of the seasonality in the reproductive behavior of Pipra rubrocapilla, a little studied species. To evaluate this presumable influence, we counted the number of courtship displays and advertisement calls exhibited by seven territorial individuals, which territories where located in a Rainforest remnant, throughout a one-year period. Also we numbered the time of permanence of territorial and visitor males in the display perches, located inside of each one of the seven territories. We have found that the number of courtship displays and vocalizations were significantly more exhibited during the dry season. In addition, it was verified an increase in the time spent by territorial males and visitors in the displays perches in the same period. All these observed increases point out that the breeding season of P. rubrocapilla is restricted to the dry season. We suggest that the dry season coincides with a higher availability of Miconia fruits, a very important food source for manakins, and thus P. rubrocapilla adapts their more costly activities to the seasonal fluctuations in food supply. Therefore, there is a network of high correlate variables, with the reproductive cycle being influenced by rainfall and food, which usually depends on the rainfall.