LEK STRUCTURE AND MALE DISPLAY REPERTOIRE OF BLUE-CROWNED MANAKINS IN EASTERN ECUADOR

Among lek-breeding manakins (Pipridae), courtship repertoires are extremely diverse and have played a central role in establishing phylogenetic relationships within the family. Behaviorally, Lepidothrix is among the least known genera in the family, with brief accounts published for only two of the eight species. Here, I describe the lek structure, territory characteristics, vocalizations and behavioral display elements of the Blue-crowned Manakin (Lepidothrix coronata coronata) in eastern Ecuador. From 2003 to 2006, I located all leks in two 100-ha study plots (average of 13.5 leks 100 ha(-1)) and recorded behavior at individual territories in ten leks. Males displayed solitarily or at exploded leks with up to seven individual territories of similar to 0.1 ha; within a lek, territory centers were separated by about 90 m. Males in definitive and predefinitive plumage (2 years and older) held stable territories, whereas first-year, female-plumaged males did not hold stable territories but sometimes associated loosely with territorial males. I noted 4 vocalizations and 11 male display behaviors during solitary and group displays involving other males and females, revealing a repertoire considerably more diverse than previously documented.