Egg-laying behaviour by shiny cowbirds parasitizing brown-and-yellow marshbirds

Article Abstract:

Shiny cowbirds lay two types of egs, white and spotted, and parasitize brown-and-yellow marshbirds. The marshbirds eject white eggs, accepting spotted eggs. Parasitic events are more likely to occur where more nests were available during laying, though a plateau can be observed with high nest availability. Female cowbirds synchronized their egg laying with the laying of hosts on four fifths of occasions observed. Most sites with more than one cowbird egg involved more than one cowbird female. One marshbird egg was lost on average for each parasitic event.

Parasitic birds

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Why brown-headed cowbirds do not influence red-winged blackbird parent behaviour

Article Abstract:

The effect of brood parasitism on host parent and offspring behaviour in younger and older broods is compared. The results indicate that the presence of the cowbird in the nest affected neither the latency nor duration of host nestling begging, but stimulated more frequent begging by red-winged blackbird nestlings following food distribution.

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Grasp-ejection in two small ejecters of cowbird eggs: a test of bill-size constraints and the evolutionary equilibrium hypothesis

Article Abstract:

The results of experiments investigating the ejection of parasitic eggs by vireos laid in their nests by the brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) are presented.

Canada, Methods, Animal experimentation, Animal defenses, Animal defences, Vireos

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