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Data from: When do tropical birds breed? The case of Colombian species assemblages

Moreno-Palacios, Miguel12; Ocampo, David3; Echeverry-Gálvis, Maria Ángela4; Gómez, Camila5; Londoño, Gustavo A.66; Cadena, Carlos Daniel2

Published Nov 21, 2025 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.44j0zpcs4

Data files

Nov 21, 2025 version files 18.96 MB

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Abstract

Understanding when tropical birds breed is key to life-history theory and to predicting how species will respond to environmental change. While early views emphasized the potential for year-round breeding in the tropics, accumulating evidence suggests that reproductive activity in most tropical birds follows some degree of seasonality, often linked to rainfall and associated food pulses. However, large-scale evaluations across ecological gradients remain scarce. Here, we investigated the breeding seasonality of Colombian resident birds using over 80,000 records compiled from bird banding programs and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). These data included birds in breeding condition, active nests, nestlings, and adults displaying reproductive behavior. We asked four main questions: (a) Do Colombian birds exhibit seasonal breeding activity? (b) Does the degree of seasonality vary with latitude and elevation? (c) Are there geographic differences in breeding patterns across Colombia’s biogeographic regions? (d) How does breeding activity vary among feeding guilds? We used time-series analysis, circular statistics, and generalized additive models (GAMs) to evaluate breeding patterns at national and regional levels, incorporating geographic variables and trophic guild. We found a clear seasonal pattern in breeding activity, with a main peak in April and low but consistent activity throughout the year, especially in the Andes. Breeding was more synchronized at higher latitudes and more extended near the Equator. Elevation also shaped seasonality: lowland bird communities showed broader breeding seasons, while mid- and high-elevation assemblages had narrower windows, with peaks shifting toward mid-year. Regional and trophic variation was also marked. Breeding generally coincided with the onset of rains and avoided extreme dry or wet months. Our findings offer new insights into tropical bird reproduction, showing that breeding in Colombia follows clear seasonal patterns shaped by rainfall, elevation, and diet, and highlighting the complexity of tropical phenology.