Site selection and repeatability in Brown-Headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) parasitism of Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) nests

Mark E Hauber

doi:10.1139/z01-091

journal article Aug 01, 2001

Site selection and repeatability in Brown-Headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) parasitism of Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) nests

Mark E Hauber

Canadian Journal of Zoology Vol. 79 No. 8 pp. 1518-1523 · Canadian Science Publishing

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Abstract

The reproductive success of obligate brood parasitic birds depends on their ability to seek out heterospecific nests. Some nests are more suitable for parasitism than others and, for example, parasitic females may benefit from laying eggs preferentially and repeatedly at safer sites. Observations on patterns of Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) parasitism on Eastern Phoebes (Sayornis phoebe) across 2 years suggested that parasitism occurred at above chance levels during the first rather than the second nesting attempts and at nests located under eaves rather than bridges. Previously parasitized nests were more likely to be parasitized again in the subsequent breeding season. Sites under eaves and bridges did not differ in whether Brown-headed Cowbirds could be detected in the proximity of the nest. However, nests from first nesting attempts and nests under eaves were less likely to be lost as a result of structural failure of the Eastern Phoebe's mud nest. These data suggest that site discrimination by Brown-headed Cowbirds leads to adaptive patterns of parasitism among available Eastern Phoebe nests.

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References

Details

Published: Aug 01, 2001
Vol/Issue: 79(8)
Pages: 1518-1523
License: View

Authors

M

Mark E Hauber

Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior, School of Integrative Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Cite This Article

Mark E Hauber (2001). Site selection and repeatability in Brown-Headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) parasitism of Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) nests. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 79(8), 1518-1523. https://doi.org/10.1139/z01-091

Site selection and repeatability in Brown-Headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) parasitism of Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) nests

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