Observations on the reproductive behavior of the Orange-fronted Parakeet Eupsittula canicularis (Psittacidae) in the Puerto Escondido Botanical Garden of the Universidad del Mar, Oaxaca

Abstract

The Orange-fronted Parakeet, Eupsittula canicularis, nests in arboreal termite mounds during the dry season, but little is known of the species"™ biology and reproductive ecology. This study reports the nest-site characteristics and reproductive behavior of the Orange-fronted Parakeet at one nest in secondary succession vegetation at the Puerto Escondido Botanical Garden of the Universidad del Mar, Oaxaca coastal region. The nest-termitaria had 117 liters volume, and was located in a live Ceiba parvifolia tree, at 6.32 m above the ground. The nesting cycle comprised from December 2021 with nest construction, to April 2022 when the young fledged. Throughout incubation and in the early days of chick rearing, the female remained inside the nest and depended on the male for food. Subsequently, both the male and female fed the chicks at least twice a day, spending a few minutes per visit. During late chick rearing, the pair increased the frequency of visits to the nest to a maximum of four visits over the observation intervals. These finding highlight the importance of promoting regeneration of natural vegetation in successional forests that may supply resources for species with specific nesting characteristics.