Comportamento reprodutivo do Jaçanã Jacana jacana (L., 1766) (Aves, Charadriiformes, Jacanidae) no Estado do Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

Although a common bird inhabiting small ponds,marshes, swamps and river margins, little is known about the Wattled JacAlthough a common bird inhabiting small ponds,marshes, swamps and river margins, little is known about the Wattled Jacana Jacana jacana(L., 1766).0ur work was intended to cover some aspects of the behavior and biology of this bird. Field work was undertaken during a period of three consecutive years in three areas in the State of Rio de Janeiro, two of them in a region called "Campo do Saco" and the other in the Aguiculture Center of the UFRRJ. The territories occupied were small as compared with other areas where they were studied. Sex-role reversal occured and while females laid and defended territories, males incubated and took care of the young. The sizes of the eggs decreased during incubation, a phenomenon correlated with the energy spent by the females in each clutch. Among the predators of adults, young and eggs we include the Common Gallinule Gallinula chloropus, the Little Grebe Podiceps dominicus, the snake Mastigodryas bifossatus, the large rat Rattus norvegicus and man. Feeding habits studies were based on direct observations in the field. At least five different kinds of vocalizations were detected and they related to behavior: food location call, alarm call, help call, copulation call and a hiding call for young. we also give a list of other birds seen in the areas.