Slender antbird

Abstract: ardesiacus is considered Endangered at global and national levels. Despite being well known amongst birdwatchers, there are few published data concerning its basic biology. Described in 1817, by Wied, from the state of Bahia, it was only rediscovered in 1928, by Emil Kaemper around Boa Nova and Ituaçu. In the 1970s and 1980s other records were made in the same region of south-east Bahia. For many years the species was considered to be restricted to mata de cipó (at 700–1,000 m) and it was not until until 1999 that R. ardesiacus was found in a forest remnant at Fazenda Santana, near Salto da Divisa, Minas Gerais, where the vegetation is classified as lowland semi-deciduous forest, at c.100 m. However, in both areas the presence of R. ardesiacus is closely associated with large terrestrial bromeliads known to be used by the species. The few data concerning the Slender Antbird’s natural history concern its foraging behaviour, home range and vocalisations (at Boa Nova), and morphology and habitat use (Fazenda Santana). Until now, the only information concerning breeding biology involves a nest supposedly of this species found at Boa Nova, which was described as having recently been built and contained feathers of a female R. ardesiacus. It was mainly constructed of dry leaves and had an elliptical shape, with a tunnel and side entrance. The nest was positioned 25 cm above ground, supported by two terrestrial bromeliads known as gravatás. However, Teixeira never saw a Slender Antbird attend the nest, but concluded that it belonged to R. ardesiacus based on indirect evidence, pointing out that the structure was similar to nests of Pyriglena species. Here I describe for the first time a R. ardesiacus nest based on direct observations. In addition to the nest description, details of the eggs and nestlings are also presented. Reproductive notes on the Slender Antbird Rhopornis ardesiacus