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THE BREEDING OF COLLOCALIA GIGAS
Author(s) -
Becking J. H.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
ibis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.933
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1474-919X
pISSN - 0019-1019
DOI - 10.1111/j.1474-919x.1971.tb05163.x
Subject(s) - nest (protein structural motif) , moss , biology , epiphyte , fern , botany , frond , genus , ecology , zoology , biochemistry
SUMMARY The nest of Collocalia gigas is a solid cup with a shallow depression for the egg, constructed of plant material with moist cement. The main nest materials are living liverworts (Mastigophora and Herberta spp.) with green fern fronds or whole ferns (Hymenophyllaceae and Asplenium sp.) in the nest wall. Minor components are moss (Aerobryopsis, Ectropothecium and Meteorium spp.) and aerial roots of epiphytes (Orchidaceae). Nests are always associated with falling water, being usually placed on ledges or in crevices behind or very close to waterfalls. Nests are single or in small colonies of up to ten nests. The clutch consists of a single egg. Egg‐weight is 13‐7% of the adult's body‐weight, rather lower than in other Collocalia species. In nest‐site and habits, and in some morphological characters there is a marked convergence, or a relationship, between C. gigas and the tropical American genus Cypseloides.