Nestling responses to adult food and alarm calls: 1. Species-specific responses in two cowbird hosts

Article Abstract:

The responses of nestlings of two North American passerines that are commonly parasitized by the brown-headed cowbird, Molothrus ater and Sayornis phoebe were tested, given the paucity of evidence that nestlings react specifically to the calls of their parents. The results conclude that the two common hosts of brown-headed cowbirds vary dramatically in the form and function of their parent-offspring communication systems.

Passeriformes, Perching birds, Bird songs

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Nestling responses to adult food and alarm calls: 2. Cowbirds and red-winged blackbirds reared by eastern phoebe hosts

Article Abstract:

The responses of 7-day old cowbird nestlings reared by eastern phoebes (Sayornis phoebe) were compared with those of a related, nonparasitic icterid, the red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) reared experimentally in phoebe nests. Both cowbirds and red-winged blackbirds reared alone by phoebes reduced begging to the greatest degree to red-winged blackbird alarms, suggesting that they share an innate icterid response.

Behavior, Food and nutrition, Alarm responses (Animal behavior), Alarm signaling (Animal communication), Tyrant flycatchers, Icterids, Alarm reaction

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Reed warblers guard against cuckoos and cuckoldry

Article Abstract:

Since research has shown that reed warblers tend to reject a cuckoo egg if they have seen the cuckoo at the nest, new research was conducted to determine if simulated cuckoo presence affected warblers' nest attendance.

Old World warblers

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