The Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo (Neomorphus geoffroyi) is a vulnerable species within the neotropical ground-cuckoos (Neomorphinae), whose foraging ecology and life history details are little known. Previous reports have shown that ground-cuckoos associate with several types of interspecific foraging groups including primates, peccaries, and army ants. Our observations indicate that ground-cuckoos also occasionally associate with understory mixed-species flocks. These flocks are a common feature of the moist tropical forests where ground-cuckoos are found. These flocks provide much of the apparent benefits of other foraging groups, in that they act as “beaters” that flush insect prey, as well as providing alarm calls that alert flock members of predators. Further, mixed-species flock territories saturate forest of suitable habitat, and they can maintain territories for multiple decades. These may provide a predictable source of foraging benefits for ground-cuckoos. |
Photo of Neomorphus individual from video 1 at Pantiacolla in September 2015. Photo Cred. E. Parra
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