Timing, Duration, and Intensity of Molt in Birds of a Neotropical Savanna in Brazil

[摘要] Abstract. While researchers have made great progress investigating the molt of temperate-zone birds, few studies have examined the molt of tropical birds. We carried out this study in 2009 and 2010 in the cerrado biome, Distrito Federal, Brazil. On the basis of 334 birds captured with mist nets, we describe the timing, duration, and intensity of the flight-feather molt in eight species. Molt scores indicated the direction of replacement and points where molt series started and ended. The innermost primary usually was the first flight feather to drop, and primaries were replaced proximal to distal. Secondaries were replaced in two series, and S6 or S5 typically was the last remex to complete growth. Rectrices were replaced in a single series on each side, from R1 (central) to R6 (lateral). All species replaced their primaries according to the rules followed by most passerines. The White-eared Puffbird (Nystalus chacuru: Galbuliformes) was an exception; it replaced primaries in two molt series and possibly ...

[学科分类] 动物科学

[关键词] cerrado;flight feathers;molt—breeding overlap;molt patterns;tropical.