Conserving Chile’s most critically endangered bird species: First data on foraging, feeding, and food items of the Másafuera Rayadito (Aves: Furnariidae)

Hahn, I., U. Römer & P. M. Vergara

Abstract

First data of foraging, feeding, and food items of Aphrastura masafuerae from Alejandro Selkirk Island, Chile are presented.Brood-caring Másafuera Rayaditos 1) forage mostly inside dense vegetation below the protective cover, 2) leavethe vegetation only for a short duration to fl y from the nest site to the foraging destination and to stop on a rock beforeentering the nest hole to control surroundings, 3) minimize energetic costs by foraging mainly hill-parallel, 4) use a 3 - 4ha home range by visiting distance zone in different frequency, 5) transport nestling faeces off the nest hole but do nothide them from predators, and 6) feed their nestlings with arthropod prey, mainly small butterfl y larvae, in which there arenice-differentiated from sympatric Másafuera Cinclodes. More detailed studies on the breeding ecology and foraging areneeded implement management plans and avoid extinction of this badly known island endemic.