Nesting Biology, Home Range, and Habitat Use of the Brown Wood Rail (Aramides wolfi) in Northwest Ecuador

The Brown Wood Rail (Aramides wolfi) is a globally threatened, poorly known species endemic to the Choco rain forests of South America. We provide a first report on the species nesting biology, home range, and habitat use. Nests (n = 16) were open cups similar to 2 m above ground and were more common in secondary forest than expected by chance. Median clutch size was four eggs, incubation lasted > 19 days, the precocial young departed the nest within 24 hrs of hatching, and 66% of nests successfully produced young. At least two adults participated in parental care and pair bonds appear to be maintained year-round. The home range of an adult radio-tracked for 7 months was 13.5 ha in secondary and selectively-logged forest contiguous to primary forest. This easily overlooked species may be more resilient to moderate levels of habitat degradation than previously suspected, but extensive deforestation throughout its range justifies its current status as 'Vulnerable to Extinction'. Received 24 February 2010. Accepted 28 July 2010.