On the breeding biology of the Band-winged Nightjar (Systellura longirostris) in central Chile

Abstract

The breeding biology of the Band-winged Nightjar (Systellura longirostris) was studied in central Chile. Its nesting habitat was from semi-open to open in dry areas. The egg laying period ranged from September to November and it seems that it is a single brooded species. Its nest is just a small depression on the ground without nesting materials and its clutch size was normally 2 eggs but occasionally it might lay a single egg. Both the male and the female incubate and at least during daytime only the female brood the nestlings. Its incubation period was between 18-20 days. From age 8 day onwards, the nestlings had great mobility and they could be found several meters from the nest after age 15 days was almost impossible to find them. When approaching the nest, the adult did several distractions displays and the nestlings from age 12 day onward when approached did threatening displays. Its diet included flying and terrestial insects. The austral population is fully migratory and the central and southern Chilean population is partially migratory. There are years on which some individuals remain in central Chile, particularly in coastal areas. In the study area generally, birds arrive by late August and they move north by late February - early March. During the last 10 years the species have not being found breeding again, several reasons might apply, however also coincide with a large population increase of foxes Lycalopex griseus and the beginning of a long drought period.