Breeding

Snethlage (1935) provided the first description of a nest of Hooded Gnateater based on a nest found in Pará, Brazil, on an unspecified date. The nest was built low to the ground in a bush near a thicket. In form, it was an open cup built of course plant materials on a platform of fine twigs and leaves. The nest held two eggs, pale ochre-yellow in color with a few small reddish flecks near the larger end. Although Snethlage (1935) did not provide measurements of the eggs, two eggs described by Velho (1932) and collected by Snethlage in Pará, are almost certainly these eggs. Velho (1932) describes the eggs as being yellowish white with red brown flecking forming a ring around the larger end and gives measurements of 20 x 17 mm for both. Schönwetter (1979) cited Snethlage’s (1935) qualitative description of the eggs but did not provide any measurements. The only other information published on the reproductive habits of Hooded Gnateater appears to the description of an uncompleted nest found in eastern Pará in mid April (Whitney 2003). The nest was built by both sexes and was 29 cm above the ground "atop some saplings" in a relatively open area beside a dense thicket of vines and small palm saplings. Excluding longer twigs and material protruding outward, the outer portion of the open-cup nest was 10 cm wide and 10.5 cm tall. Internally, the egg-cup measured 7 cm wide by 4.5 cm deep.