Karura Forest #72: ADF - Breeding
The cache, a small black-taped push-top micro tube is hidden in a stump under a small bark piece about 3m down from the trail. GPSr accuracy at GZ was ~6m.
To reach the cache location: enter the forest at the Limuru Road gate @ S 01 14.830 E 36 48.947 and after paying the entry fee, continue to the parking area at the KFEET centre @ S 01 14.437 E36 49.097. After parking, from the KFEET Centre the most direct route (see map in gallery) is north to Junction 12, right (east) to J11, left (north) to J27 then right to J26, down to and across the footbridge above the waterfall (location of the Karura Forest #4: Waterfalls cache) then north to J30 and straight on to J27 then right to the cache location, passing several other caches en route.
For background information on Karura Forest including access, fees, features, a detailed trail map and useful links, see GC4PD3V Karura Forest #1: Intro, Info & Entry
Continued from Karura Forest #71 . . .
Over a period of up to 22 days, both sexes build a untidy open cup-shaped nest using dead leaves, moss, grass, lichens, creeper tendrils, feathers and spider web and lined with more 
fine material, although it can be made entirely out of moss.
It is typically placed in a cavity a few metres above the ground, such as in a pipe, behind peeling bark, in a rock crevice, among driftwood, in a dead tree stump or between the rafters of a thatched roof. The nest cavity is normally reused in the next breeding season. It may use the nest of another bird, such as a red-winged starling, barbet, weaver or canary.
It is monogamous, mating for life. Egg-laying is from September-January, peaking from October-November. It lays 2-3 eggs, which are incubated solely by the female for about 14-15 days, all the while fed by the male at the nest.
The chicks are mainly brooded by the female but fed by both sexes, leaving the nest after about 17 days. It usually rears two broods per breeding season, meaning that fledglings often leave after only 5 more days, so that the female can lay the next egg clutch.
It is preyed upon by sparrowhawks and may be used as a host for cuckoos and honeybirds.