Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Parasitic Behaviour of Interspecific Brood Parasitic Females

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Book cover Avian Brood Parasitism

Part of the book series: Fascinating Life Sciences ((FLS))

Abstract

Interspecific avian brood parasites have to solve unique problems associated with their reproductive habit: they need to recognize potential hosts, search for and locate their nests, monitor nests progress and return to them at the appropriate time for egg laying. In addition, parasitic females may improve the survival of their own eggs and chicks by removing or destroying part of the clutch content. Lastly, they should remember the nests in which they have laid eggs to avoid laying two or more eggs in the same nest to prevent harming their own previously laid eggs and generating competition between their own offspring. In this chapter, we summarize information on the behaviour of parasitic females from the moment they start searching for host nests until they parasitize them. We review the different hypotheses for explaining the recognition of hosts and the cues used to search for and locate their nests. We also review the different adaptive explanations for the removal or destruction of eggs as well as the information on competition among females for host nests and repeat parasitism.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Alderson GW, Gibbs HL, Sealy SG (1999) Determining the reproductive behaviour of individual brown-headed cowbirds using microsatellite DNA markers. Anim Behav 58:895–905

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Álvarez F (1993) Proximity of trees facilitates parasitism by cuckoos Cuculus canorus on rufous warblers Cercotrichas galactotes. Ibis 135:331–331

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Álvarez F, Arias de Reyna L (1974) Mecanismos de parasitación por Clamator glandarius y defensa por Pica pica. L. Doñana Acta Vertebrata 1:43–65

    Google Scholar 

  • Andou D, Nakamura H, Oomori S, Higuchi H (2005) Characteristics of brood parasitism by common cuckoos on azure-winged magpies, as illustrated by video recordings. Ornithol Sci 4:43–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Antonov A, Stokke BG, Moksnes A, Røskaft E (2007) Factors influencing the risk of common cuckoo Cuculus canorus parasitism on marsh warblers Acrocephalus palustris. J Avian Biol 38:390–393

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arcese P, Smith JN, James NM, Hatch MI (1996) Nest predation by cowbirds and its consequences for passerine demography. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 93:4608–4611

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Astié AA, Reboreda JC (2009) Function of egg punctures by shiny cowbird in parasitized and unparasitized creamy-bellied thrush nests. J Field Ornithol 80:336–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Avilés JM, Moskát C, Bán M, Hargitai R, Parejo D (2009) Common cuckoos (Cuculus canorus) do not rely on indicators of parental abilities when searching for host nests: the importance of host defenses. Auk 126:431–438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baglione V, Bolopo D, Canestrari D, Martínez JG, Roldán M, Vila V, Soler M (2017) Spatiotemporal variation of host use in a brood parasite: the role of the environment. Behav Ecol 28:49–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Banks AJ, Martin TE (2001) Host activity and the risk of nest parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds. Behav Ecol 12:31–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Begum S, Moksnes A, Røskaft E, Stokke BG (2011) Factors influencing host nest use by the brood parasitic asian koel (Eudynamys scolopacea). J Ornithol 152:793–800

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bolopo D, Canestrari D, Martínez JG, Roldan M, Macías-Sanchez E, Vila M, Soler M, Baglione V (2017) Flexible mating patterns in an obligate brood parasite. Ibis 159:103–112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briskie JV, Sealy SG, Hobson KA (1990) Differential parasitism of least flycatchers and yellow warblers by the brown-headed cowbird. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 27:403–410

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brooke M de L, Davies NB (1991) A failure to demonstrate host imprinting in the cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) and alternative hypotheses for the maintenance of egg mimicry. Ethology 89:154–166

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooker MG, Brooker LC, Rowley I (1988) Egg deposition by the bronze-cuckoos Chrysococcyx basalis and Ch. lucidus. Emu 88:107–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burhans DE (1997) Habitat and microhabitat features associated with cowbird parasitism in two forest edge cowbird hosts. Condor 99:866–872

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carter MD (1986) The parasitic behavior of the bronzed cowbird Molothrus aeneus in South Texas USA. Condor 88:11–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chance EP (1922) The cuckoo’s secret. Sidgwick & Jackson, London

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Chance EP (1940) The truth about the cuckoo. Country Life, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke AL, Øien IJ, Honza M, Moksnes A, Røskaft E (2001) Factors affecting reed warbler risk of brood parasitism by the common cuckoo. Auk 118:534–538

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clotfelter ED (1998) What cues do brown-headed cowbirds use to locate red-winged blackbird host nests? Anim Behav 55:1181–1189

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cossa N, Tuero DT, Reboreda JC, Fiorini VD (2017) Egg pecking and puncturing behaviors in shiny and screaming cowbirds: effects of eggshell strength and degree of clutch completion. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 71:60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-017-2289-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davies NB, Brooke MDL (1988) Cuckoos versus reed warblers: adaptations and counteradaptations. Anim Behav 36:262–284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de la Colina MA, Hauber ME, Strausberger BM, Reboreda JC, Mahler B (2016) Molecular tracking of individual host use in the shiny cowbird, a generalist brood parasite. Ecol Evol 6:4684–4696

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • De Mársico MC, Reboreda JC (2008) Egg-laying behaviour in screaming cowbirds. Why does a specialist brood parasite waste so many eggs? Condor 110:143–153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Mársico MC, Mahler B, Chomnalez M, Di Giácomo AG, Reboreda JC (2010) Host use by generalist and specialist brood-parasitic cowbirds at population and individual levels. Adv Study Behav 42:83–121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Mársico MC, Gloag R, Ursino CA, Reboreda JC (2013) A novel method of rejection of brood parasitic eggs reduces parasitism intensity in a cowbird host. Biol Lett 9:007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dufty AM (1982) Movements and activities of radio-tracked brown-headed cowbirds. Auk 99:316–327

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellison K, Sealy SG (2007) Small hosts infrequently disrupt laying by brown-headed cowbirds and bronzed cowbirds. J Field Ornithol 78:379–389

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellison K, Sealy SG, Gibbs HL (2006) Genetic elucidation of host use by individual sympatric bronzed cowbirds (Molothrus aeneus) and brown-headed cowbirds (M. ater). Can J Zool 84:1269–1280

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feeney WE, Welbergen JA, Langmore NE (2012) The frontline of avian brood parasite-host coevolution. Anim Behav 84:3–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fiorini VD, Reboreda JC (2006) Cues used by shiny cowbirds (Molothrus bonariensis) to locate and parasitise chalk-browed mockingbird (Mimus saturninus) nests. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 60:379–385

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fiorini VD, Tuero DT, Reboreda JC (2009a) Host behaviour and nest-site characteristics affect the likelihood of brood parasitism by shiny cowbirds on chalk-browed mockingbirds. Behaviour 146:1387–1403

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fiorini VD, Tuero DT, Reboreda JC (2009b) Shiny cowbirds synchronize parasitism with host laying and puncture host eggs according to host characteristics. Anim Behav 77:561–568

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fiorini VD, Gloag R, Reboreda JC, Kacelnik A (2014) Strategic egg destruction by brood parasitic cowbirds? Anim Behav 93:229–235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gates JE, Evans DR (1998) Cowbirds breeding in the central Appalachians: spatial and temporal patterns and habitat selection. Ecol Appl 8:27–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibbs HL, Marchetti K, Sorenson MD, Brooke M d L, Davies NB, Nakamura H (2000) Genetic evidence for female host-specific races of the common cuckoo. Nature 407:183–186

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gill SA, Grieef PM, Staib LM, Sealy SG (1997) Does nest defence deter or facilitate cowbird parasitism? A test of the nesting-cue hypothesis. Ethology 103:56–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gloag R, Tuero DT, Fiorini VD, Reboreda JC, Kacelnik A (2012) The economics of nestmate-killing in avian brood parasites: a provisions trade-off. Behav Ecol 23:132–140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gloag R, Fiorini VD, Reboreda JC, Kacelnik A (2013) The wages of violence: mobbing by mockingbirds as a frontline defence against brood-parasitic cowbirds. Anim Behav 86:1023–1029

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gloag R, Fiorini VD, Reboreda JC, Kacelnik A (2014a) Shiny cowbirds share nests, but not mothers, in multiply parasitized mockingbird broods. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 68:681–689

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gloag R, Keller LA, Langmore NE (2014b) Cryptic cuckoo eggs hide from competing cuckoos. Proc R Soc B 281:20141014–20141014

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hahn D, Sedgwick J, Painter I, Casna N (1999) A spatial and genetic analysis of cowbird host selection. Stud Avian Biol 18:204–217

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton WJ, Orians GH (1965) Evolution of brood parasitism in altricial birds. Condor 67:361–382

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hauber ME, Russo SA (2000) Perch proximity correlates with higher rates of cowbird parasitism of ground nesting song sparrows. Wilson Bull 112:150–153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Honza M, Taborsky B, Taborsky M, Teuschl Y, Vogl W, Moksnes A, Roskaft E (2002) Behaviour of female common cuckoos, Cuculus canorus, in the vicinity of host nests before and during egg laying: a radiotelemetry study. Anim Behav 64:861–868

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hudson WH (1874) Notes on the procreant instincts of the three species of Molothrus found in Buenos Ayres. Proc Zool Soc London 42(1):153–174

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jelínek V, Procházka P, Požgayová M, Honza M (2014) Common cuckoos Cuculus canorus change their nest-searching strategy according to the number of available host nests. Ibis 156:189–197

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kemal RE, Rothstein SI (1988) Mechanism of avian egg recognition: adaptive responses to eggs with broken shells. Anim Behav 36:175–183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kilner RM, Madden JR, Hauber ME (2004) Brood parasitic cowbird nestlings use host young to procure resources. Science 305:877–879

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Langmore NE, Kilner RM (2007) Breeding site and host selection by Horsfield’s bronze-cuckoos, Chalcites basalis. Anim Behav 74:995–1004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lerkelund HE, Moksnes A, Roskaft E, Ringsby TH (1993) An experimental test of optimal clutch size of the fieldfare; with a discussion on why brood parasites remove eggs when they parasitize a host species. Ornis Scand 24:95–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Livesey TR (1936) Cuckoo problems. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 38:734–758

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyon BE (2003) Egg recognition and counting reduce costs of avian conspecific brood parasitism. Nature 422:495–499

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lyon BE, Eadie JM (2013) Patterns of host use by a precocial obligate brood parasite, the black-headed duck: ecological and evolutionary considerations. Chin Birds 4:71–85

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahler B, Confalonieri VA, Lovette IJ, Reboreda JC (2007) Partial host fidelity in nest selection by the shiny cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis), a highly generalist avian brood parasite. J Evol Biol 20:1918–1923

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mahler B, Sarquis Adamson Y, Di Giacomo AG, Confalonieri VA, Reboreda JC (2009) Utilization of a new host in the host-specialist brood parasite Molothrus rufoaxillaris: host switch or host acquisition? Behav Ecol Sociobiol 63:1603–1608

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marchetti K, Gibbs HL, Nakamura H (1998) Host-race formation in the common cuckoo. Science 282:471–472

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martínez JG, Soler M, Soler JJ (1996) The effect of magpie breeding density and synchrony on brood parasitism by great spotted cuckoos. Condor 98:272–278

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martínez JG, Burke T, Dawson D, Soler JJ, Soler M, Moller AP (1998) Microsatellite typing reveals mating patterns in the brood parasitic great spotted cuckoo (Clamator glandarius). Mol Ecol 7:289–297

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mason P (1987) Pair formation in cowbirds: evidence found for screaming but not shiny cowbirds. Condor 89:349–356

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Massoni V, Reboreda JC (1999) Egg puncture allows shiny cowbirds to assess host egg development and suitability for parasitism. Proc R Soc B 266:1871–1874

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • McLaren CM, Sealy SG (2003) Factors influencing susceptibility of host nests to brood parasitism. Ethol Ecol Evol 15:343–353

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McLaren CM, Woolfenden BE, Gibbs HL, Sealy SG (2003) Genetic and temporal patterns of multiple parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) on song sparrows (Melospiza melodia). Can J Zool 81:281–286

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McMaster DG, Sealy GS (1997) Host-egg removal by brown-headed cowbirds: a test of the host incubation limit hypothesis. Auk 114:212–220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moksnes A, Røskaft E (1987) Cuckoo host interactions in Norwegian mountain areas. Ornis Scand 18:168–172

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moksnes A, Røskaft E (1989) Adaptations of meadow pipits to parasitism by the common cuckoo. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 24:25–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moksnes A, Røskaft E (1995) Egg-morphs and host preference in the common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus): an analysis of cuckoo and host eggs from European museum collections. J Zool 236:625–648

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moksnes A, Røskaft E, Hagen LG, Honza M, Mørk C, Olsen PH (2000) Common cuckoo Cuculus canorus and host behaviour at reed warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus nests. Ibis 142:247–258

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moskát C, Honza M (2000) Effect of nest and nest site characteristics on the risk of cuckoo Cuculus canorus parasitism in the great reed warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus. Ecography 23:335–341

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moskát C, Honza M (2002) European cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) parasitism and host’s rejection behaviour in a heavily parasitized great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) population. Ibis 144:614–622

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakamura H, Miyazawa Y (1997) Movements, space use and social organisation of radio tracked common cuckoos during the breeding season in Japan. Jpn J Ornithol 46:23–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakamura H, Miyazawa Y, Kashiwagi K (2005) Behavior of radio-tracked common cuckoo females during the breeding season in Japan. Ornithol Sci 4:31–41

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Øien IJ, Honza M, Moksnes A, Røskaft E (1996) The risk of parasitism in relation to the distance from reed warbler nests to cuckoo perches. J Anim Ecol 65:147–153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patten MA, Reinking DL, Wolfe DH (2011) Hierarchical cues in brood parasite nest selection. J Ornithol 152:521–532

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Payne RB, Payne LL, Woods JL, Sorenson MD (2000) Imprinting and the origin of parasite–host species associations in brood-parasitic indigobirds, Vidua chalybeata. Anim Behav 59:69–81

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peer BD (2006) Egg destruction and egg removal by avian brood parasites: adaptiveness and consequences. Auk 123:16–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peer BD, Bollinger EK (1997) Explanations for the infrequent cowbird parasitism on common grackles. Condor 99:151–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peer BD, Sealy SG (1999) Laying time of the bronzed cowbird. Wilson Bull 111:137–139

    Google Scholar 

  • Peer BD, Bollinger EK (2000) Why do female brown-headed cowbirds remove host eggs? A test of the incubation efficiency hypothesis. In: Smith JNM, Cook TL, Rothstein SI, Robinson SK, Sealy SG (eds) Ecology and management of cowbirds and their hosts: studies in the conservation of North American Passerine birds. Smith University of Texas Press, Texas, pp 187–192

    Google Scholar 

  • Rees EC, Hillgarth N (1984) The breeding biology of captive black-headed ducks and the behavior of their young. Condor 86:242–250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rivers JW, Young S, Gonzalez EG, Horton B, Lock J, Fleischer RC (2012) High levels of relatedness between brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) nestmates in a heavily parasitized host community. Auk 129:623–631

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robertson RJ, Norman RF (1977) The function and evolution of aggressive host behavior towards the brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater). Can J Zool 55:508–518

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson WD, Robinson TR (2001) Is host activity necessary to elicit brood parasitism by cowbirds? Ethol Ecol Evol 13:161–171

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rothstein S, Verner J, Stevens E (1984) Radio-tracking confirms a unique diurnal pattern of spatial occurrence in the parasitic brown-headed cowbird. Ecology 65:77–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scardamaglia RC, Reboreda JC (2014) Ranging behavior of female and male shiny cowbirds and screaming cowbirds while searching for host nests. Auk 131:610–618

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scardamaglia RC, Fiorini VD, Kacelnik A, Reboreda JC (2017) Planning host exploitation through prospecting visits by parasitic cowbirds. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 71:23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-016-2250-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scott DM, Weatherhead PJ, Ankney CD (1992) Egg-eating by female brown-headed cowbirds. Condor 94:579–584

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sealy SG (1992) Removal of yellow warbler eggs in association with cowbird parasitism. Condor 94:40–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sealy SG, Neudorf DLH, Hill DP (1995) Rapid laying by brown-headed cowbirds Molothrus ater and other parasitic birds. Ibis 137:76–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skjelseth S, Moksnes A, Røskaft E, Kleven O, Gibbs HL, Taborsky M, Taborsky B, Honza M (2004) Parentage and host preference in the common cuckoo Cuculus canorus. J Avian Biol 35:21–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slagsvold T, Hansen BT (2001) Sexual imprinting and the origin of obligate brood parasitism in birds. Am Nat 158:354–367

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith JN, Arcese P, McLean IG (1984) Age, experience, and enemy recognition by wild song sparrows. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 14:101–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soler M, Pérez-Contreras T (2012) Location of suitable nests by great spotted cuckoos: an empirical and experimental study. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 66:1305–1310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soler M, Soler JJ, Martinez JG, Møller AP (1995) Magpie host manipulation by great spotted cuckoos: evidence for an avian mafia? Evolution 49:770–775

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Soler M, Soler JJ, Martínez JG (1997) Great spotted cuckoos improve their reproductive success by damaging magpie host eggs. Anim Behav 54:1227–1233

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Soler M, Soler JJ, Perez-Contreras T (1999) The cost of host egg damage caused by a brood parasite: experiments on great spotted cuckoos (Clamator glandarius) and magpies (Pica pica). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 46:381–386

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soler M, Pérez-Contreras T, de Neve L (2014) Great spotted cuckoos frequently lay their eggs while their magpie host is incubating. Ethology 120:965–972

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spottiswoode CN (2013) A brood parasite selects for its own egg traits. Biol Lett 9:20130573

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Spottiswoode CN, Koorevaar J (2012) A stab in the dark: chick killing by brood parasitic honeyguides. Biol Lett 8:241–244

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spottiswoode CN, Stryjewskic KF, Quadera S, Colebrook-Robjentd JFR, Sorenson MD (2011) Ancient host specificity within a single species of brood parasitic bird. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 108:17738–17742

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Strausberger BM, Ashley MV (2005) Host use strategies of individual female brown-headed cowbirds Molothrus ater in a diverse avian community. J Avian Biol 36:313–321

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Svagelj WS, Fernández GJ, Mermoz ME (2009) Effects of nest-site characteristics and parental activity on cowbird parasitism and nest predation in brown-and-yellow marshbirds. J Field Ornithol 80:9–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swan DC, Zanette LY, Clinchy M (2015) Brood parasites manipulate their hosts: experimental evidence for the farming hypothesis. Anim Behav 105:29–35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teather KL, Robertson RJ (1985) Female spacing patterns in brown-headed cowbirds. Can J Zool 63:218–222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teuschl Y, Taborsky B, Taborsky M (1998) How do cuckoos find their hosts? The role of habitat imprinting. Anim Behav 56:1425–1433

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tewksbury JJ, Martin TE, Hejl SJ, Kuehn MJ, Jenkins JW (2002) Parental care of a cowbird host: caught between the costs of egg-removal and nest predation. Proc R Soc B 269:423–429

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson F (1994) Temporal and spatial patterns of breeding brown-headed cowbirds in the midwestern United States. Auk 111:979–990

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tuero DT, Fiorini VD, Reboreda JC (2012) Do shiny cowbird females adjust egg pecking behavior according to the competition their chicks face in host nests? Behav Process 89:137–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vogl W, Taborsky B, Teuschl Y, Taborsky M, Honza M (2002) Cuckoo females preferentially use specific habitats when searching for host nests. Anim Behav 64:843–850

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vogl W, Taborsky M, Taborsky B, Teuschl Y, Honza M (2004) Habitat and space use of European cuckoo females during the egg laying period. Behaviour 141:881–898

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Welbergen JA, Davies NB (2009) Strategic variation in mobbing as a front line of defense against brood parasitism. Curr Biol 19:235–240

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Woolfenden BE, Gibbs HL, Sealy SG, McMaster DG (2003) Host use and fecundity of individual female brown-headed cowbirds. Anim Behav 66:95–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wyllie I (1981) The cuckoo. Batsford, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Zahavi A (1979) Parasitism and nest predation in parasitic cuckoos. Am Nat 113:157–159

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zölei A, Bán M, Moskát C (2015) No change in common cuckoo Cuculus canorus parasitism and Great Reed Warblers’ Acrocephalus arundinaceus egg rejection after seven decades. J Avian Biol 46:570–576

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank William Feeney, Tomás Pérez Contreras and Manuel Soler for very helpful comments on a previous version of this chapter.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución & IEGEBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Juan C. Reboreda, Vanina D. Fiorini & María C. De Mársico

  2. Faculty of Science, Behaviour and Genetics of Social Insects Lab, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Ros Gloag

  3. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución & IEGEBA-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires. Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Romina C. Scardamaglia

Authors
  1. Juan C. Reboreda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Vanina D. Fiorini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. María C. De Mársico
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ros Gloag
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Romina C. Scardamaglia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Juan C. Reboreda .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain

    Manuel Soler

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Reboreda, J.C., Fiorini, V.D., De Mársico, M.C., Gloag, R., Scardamaglia, R.C. (2017). Parasitic Behaviour of Interspecific Brood Parasitic Females. In: Soler, M. (eds) Avian Brood Parasitism. Fascinating Life Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73138-4_18

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation