Nest and egg description of the Hudson ?s black-tyrant (Knipolegus hudsoni: Passeriformes: Tyrannidae) for the province of Neuquen and first evidence of reproduction in Catamarca, Argentina

Abstract

The nest and egg of the Hudson’s black-tyrant (Knipolegus hudsoni Sclater, 1872), a little-known species of Tyrannidae from Patagonia, Argentina, is described. A nest was found in the Neuquén Province in November 2005. The nest was located in a hole on a small cliff (cavity/without-tunnel/low cup) and was made primarily of sticks on the bottom with walls of grasses, fibers and roots. Inside, the cavity was lined with goat hair and a few feathers. Clutch size was of two ovoidal eggs, of white dull background with some red-dish spotting, distributed mostly on the biggest pole, in the shape of a ring. These characteristics of the nests and eggs are similar to other Knipolegus species. Breeding evidence for this species is also reported for the province of Catamarca. These findings, together with bibliographical data and collection material, are discussed. The current state of knowledge on where this species can be found breeding is also evaluated.