No evidence for variable duration of sympatry between the great spotted cuckoo and its magpie host

Article Abstract:

Field observations of the great spotted cuckoo (Clamator glandarius) and the magpie (Pica pica) failed to demonstrate the existence of variations caused by the two species' coevolution. The cuckoo is a brood parasite of the magpie, meaning that cuckoos trick the magpies into raising young cuckoos by substituting cuckoo eggs for magpie eggs in a magpie nest. Changes in egg rejection by the magpies and in egg mimicry by the cuckoos have often been cited as instances of coevolution. However, these variations may result from behavioral changes in the magpies induced by the approach of the cuckoos.

Evolution (Biology), Magpies

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Learning to recognize nestlings is maladaptive for cuckoo Cuculus canorus hosts

Article Abstract:

The ability of cuckoo Cuculus canorus hosts to discriminate against parasitic eggs but not parasitic nestlings was explained in such a way as to make it compatible with the behavior adaptation as predicted by evolutionary theory. A model was developed which shows that while learning to recognize eggs is adaptive, learning to recognize nestlings is maladaptive. This is because in a host-parasite system wherein only the parasite nestling remains in the nest, learning to recognize the parasite nestling as the parents' own exceeds the benefit of correct learning.

Models, Parental behavior in animals, Animal parental behavior, Host-parasite relationships

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Driving parents cuckoo: Do nestling birds signal their foods needs honestly to their parents?

Article Abstract:

Kilner and colleagues have studied honesty and deception among avian nestlings, focusing on reed warblers (Arocephalus scirpaceus). They found that warbler chicks increased their gapes and calling rates as they increase in age, and as the interval since they were last fed increases. Those chicks exhibiting large gapes and high calling rates consumed more food than less enthusiastic chicks. It was found that a cuckoo hatchling can evade the parent warblers' radar by matching the calling rate of the warbler nestlings.

Nestlings

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