A Comparative Study of Shiny Cowbird Parasitism of Two Large Hosts, the Chalk-Browed Mockingbird and the Rufous-Bellied Thrush

AbstractIt is usually accepted that generalist brood parasites should avoid using hosts larger than themselves because host chicks may outcompete parasite chicks for food. We studied the interactions between the Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) and two common hosts larger than the parasite, the Chalk-browed Mockingbird (Mimus saturninus) and the Rufous-bellied Thrush (Turdus rufiventris). For each host we determined (1) frequency and intensity of parasitism during the breeding season, (2) nesting success, egg survival, hatching success, and chick survival in unparasitized and parasitized nests, and (3) antiparasitic defenses. We also determined Shiny Cowbird egg survival, hatching success, and chick survival in both hosts. Parasitism reached 50% in mockingbirds and 66% in thrushes. In both species the main cost of parasitism was egg destruction through punctures. Hatching success, survival of host chicks, and nest survival did not differ between unparasitized and parasitized nests. Both hosts rejected parasitic white-morph eggs but accepted spotted-morph ones, even though they were significantly smaller than host eggs. The proportion of cowbirds fledged per egg laid in successful mockingbird and thrush nests was 0.4 and 0.6, respectively. Considering nest survival, reproductive success of Shiny Cowbirds was 0.15 in mockingbird nests and 0.17 in thrush nests. These values are similar to or higher than cowbird success with smaller hosts. Our results indicate that host quality is not only determined by host-parasite differences in body size, and that other factors, such as host defenses and nest survivorship, should be considered.Un Estudio Comparado del Parasitismo de Molothrus bonariensis en dos Hospedadores de Gran Tamaño, Mimus saturninus y Turdus rufiventrisResumen. Es aceptado generalmente que los parásitos de cría generalistas deberían evitar utilizar hospedadores de mayor tamaño corporal porque los pichones del hospedador podrían desplazar a sus pichones en la competencia por alimento. Se estudiaron las interacciones entre Molothrus bonariensis y dos hospedadores frecuentes de mayor tamaño que el parásito, Mimus saturninus y Turdus rufiventris. Para cada hospedador se determinó (1) frecuencia e intensidad de parasitismo durante la temporada reproductiva, (2) éxito de nidificación, supervivencia de huevos, éxito de eclosión y supervivencia de pichones en nidos no parasitados y parasitados, y (3) defensas antiparasitarias. También se determinó el éxito reproductivo del parásito en ambos hospedadores. El porcentaje de nidos parasitados fue 50% en Mimus saturninus y 66% en Turdus rufiventris. En ambas especies, el principal costo del parasitismo fue la destrucción de huevos por picaduras. El éxito de eclosión, la supervivencia de pichones y el éxito de nidificación fueron semejantes entre nidos no parasitados y parasitados. Ambos hospedadores rechazaron los huevos parásitos del morfo blanco pero aceptaron los del morfo manchado, si bien éstos fueron de menor tamaño que los del hospedador. La proporción de volantones de Molothrus bonariensis por huevo puesto en nidos exitosos de Mimus saturninus y Turdus rufiventris fue 0.4 y 0.6, respectivamente. Considerando la supervivencia de los nidos, el éxito reproductivo fue 0.15 en Mimus saturninus y 0.17 en Turdus rufiventris. Estos valores son similares o mayores que los reportados para hospedadores de menor tamaño que el parásito. Nuestros resultados indican que la calidad del hospedador no está sólo determinada por las diferencias en tamaño corporal entre el hospedador y el parásito y que otros factores, como defensas del hospedador y supervivencia de los nidos, deberían ser considerados.

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Costs of Egg Punctures and Parasitism by Shiny Cowbirds (Molothrus Bonariensis) at Creamy-Bellied Thrush (Turdus Amaurochalinus) Nests

The Auk ◽

10.1093/auk/123.1.23 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 123 (1) ◽

pp. 23-32 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Andrea A. Astié ◽

Juan C. Reboreda

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Success ◽

Hatching Success ◽

Nest Survival ◽

Egg Laying ◽

Chick Survival ◽

Egg Survival ◽

Lower Survival Rate ◽

Molothrus Bonariensis ◽

Primary Determinant ◽

The Cost

AbstractMost studies on cowbird parasitism have focused on its effects on parasitized nests, whereas few have considered the costs at nests that cowbirds visit but at which they do not lay eggs. Shiny Cowbirds (Molothrus bonariensis) peck and puncture host eggs both in nests where they lay eggs and in unparasitized nests. We analyzed the effect of egg punctures in unparasitized and parasitized nests of a large host, the Creamy-bellied Thrush (Turdus amaurochalinus; hereafter “thrush”), as well as the costs of Shiny Cowbird eggs and chicks in this host’s nests. We determined thrush egg survival, hatching success, and chick survival in successful nests, and nest survival during the egg and nestling stages. Frequency of parasitism was 60%, and its intensity 1.6 ± 0.1 eggs nest−1. Number of host eggs punctured was positively associated with intensity of parasitism. The host’s eggs were frequently punctured in parasitized nests (71%) and in unparasitized nests (42%). Egg punctures reduced the number of eggs at hatching in 23% and 49% of unparasitized and parasitized nests, respectively. Nests with egg punctures had a lower survival rate than nests without them, but nest survival was not associated with parasitism. Presence of a Shiny Cowbird egg was associated with a decrease in the hatching success of host eggs, but presence of a Shiny Cowbird chick did not have any detrimental effect on either the survival and growth rate of host chicks in successful nests or the survival of the whole nest. Our results show that egg punctures were the primary determinant of thrush reproductive success. Consequently, comparison of unparasitized and parasitized nests gives an incomplete estimation of the effects of Shiny Cowbirds on host reproductive success, because the cost of egg punctures is also important in nests where there is no Shiny Cowbird egg laying.Costos de la Perforación de Huevos y el Parasitismo por Molothrus bonariensis en Nidos de Turdus amaurochalinus

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Creamy-Bellied Thrush Defenses Against Shiny Cowbird Brood Parasitism

The Condor ◽

10.1093/condor/107.4.788 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 107 (4) ◽

pp. 788-796 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Andrea A. Astie ◽

Juan C. Reboreda

Keyword(s):

Brood Parasitism ◽

Hatching Success ◽

Simultaneous Presentation ◽

Control Model ◽

Nest Attendance ◽

Chick Survival ◽

Molothrus Bonariensis ◽

Egg Ejection ◽

Cowbird Parasitism ◽

Recognition Errors

AbstractWe studied Creamy-bellied Thrush (Turdus amaurochalinus) defenses against brood parasitism by Shiny Cowbirds (Molothrus bonariensis). Shiny Cowbirds decrease the reproductive success of Creamy-bellied Thrushes, and having historical habitats and ranges that overlap, we expected that thrushes possess antiparasitic defenses. We analyzed nest attendance during prelaying, laying and incubation; responses to the presentation of a model of a female cowbird or a control species close to the nest; nest abandonment associated with parasitism; and responses to experimental parasitism with white or spotted cowbird eggs (with or without the simultaneous presentation of a female cowbird model). Nest attendance was 58%–68% during prelaying and 83%–90% during laying and incubation. Thrushes had a shorter latency in returning near the nest and visited nests more frequently when we presented the cowbird model than the control model. The frequency of abandonment of parasitized nests was low and was not temporally associated with parasitism. Thrushes ejected white eggs more frequently than spotted eggs when parasitism was associated with the presentation of the cowbird model, but there were no differences when the model was absent. Our results indicate that Creamy-bellied Thrushes recognize cowbirds as a threat and eject white but not spotted cowbird eggs. We postulate that the low impact of cowbird parasitism on thrush hatching success and chick survival and the likelihood of recognition errors when parasite eggs resemble host eggs may have prevented the evolution of egg ejection in this host.

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Preparing for translocations of a Critically Endangered petrel through targeted monitoring of nest survival and breeding biology

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605320000794 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Johannes H. Fischer ◽

Heiko U. Wittmer ◽

Graeme A. Taylor ◽

Igor Debski ◽

Doug P. Armstrong

Keyword(s):

Southern Oscillation ◽

Nest Survival ◽

Growth Curves ◽

Breeding Biology ◽

Source Population ◽

Breeding Phenology ◽

Chick Survival ◽

Egg Survival ◽

Dune System ◽

Burrow Density

Abstract The population of the recently-described Whenua Hou diving petrel Pelecanoides whenuahouensis comprises c. 200 adults that all breed in a single 0.018 km2 colony in a dune system vulnerable to erosion. The species would therefore benefit from the establishment of a second breeding population through a translocation. However, given the small size of the source population, it is essential that translocations are informed by carefully targeted monitoring data. We therefore modelled nest survival at the remaining population in relation to potential drivers (distance to sea and burrow density of conspecifics and a competitor) across three breeding seasons with varying climatic conditions as a result of the southern oscillation cycle. We also documented breeding phenology and burrow attendance, and measured chicks, to generate growth curves. We estimated egg survival at 0.686, chick survival at 0.890, overall nest survival at 0.612, and found no indication that nest survival was affected by distance to sea or burrow density. Whenua Hou diving petrels laid eggs in mid October, eggs hatched in late November, and chicks fledged in mid January at c. 86% of adult weight. Burrow attendance (i.e. feeds) decreased from 0.94 to 0.65 visits per night as chicks approached fledging. Nest survival and breeding biology were largely consistent among years despite variation in climate. Nest survival estimates will facilitate predictions about future population trends and suitability of prospective translocation sites. Knowledge of breeding phenology will inform the timing of collection of live chicks for translocation, and patterns of burrow attendance combined with growth curves will structure hand-rearing protocols. A tuhinga whakarāpopoto (te reo Māori abstract) can be found in the Supplementary material.

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Preparing for translocations of a Critically Endangered petrel through targeted monitoring of nest survival and breeding biology

10.26686/wgtn.14607621.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

JH Fischer ◽

Heiko Wittmer ◽

GA Taylor ◽

I Debski ◽

DP Armstrong

Keyword(s):

Southern Oscillation ◽

Nest Survival ◽

Growth Curves ◽

Breeding Biology ◽

Source Population ◽

Breeding Phenology ◽

Chick Survival ◽

Egg Survival ◽

Dune System ◽

Burrow Density

The population of the recently-described Whenua Hou diving petrel Pelecanoides whenuahouensis comprises c. 200 adults that all breed in a single 0.018 km2 colony in a dune system vulnerable to erosion. The species would therefore benefit from the establishment of a second breeding population through a translocation. However, given the small size of the source population, it is essential that translocations are informed by carefully targeted monitoring data. We therefore modelled nest survival at the remaining population in relation to potential drivers (distance to sea and burrow density of conspecifics and a competitor) across three breeding seasons with varying climatic conditions as a result of the southern oscillation cycle. We also documented breeding phenology and burrow attendance, and measured chicks, to generate growth curves. We estimated egg survival at 0.686, chick survival at 0.890, overall nest survival at 0.612, and found no indication that nest survival was affected by distance to sea or burrow density. Whenua Hou diving petrels laid eggs in mid October, eggs hatched in late November, and chicks fledged in mid January at c. 86% of adult weight. Burrow attendance (i.e. feeds) decreased from 0.94 to 0.65 visits per night as chicks approached fledging. Nest survival and breeding biology were largely consistent among years despite variation in climate. Nest survival estimates will facilitate predictions about future population trends and suitability of prospective translocation sites. Knowledge of breeding phenology will inform the timing of collection of live chicks for translocation, and patterns of burrow attendance combined with growth curves will structure hand-rearing protocols. A tuhinga whakarāpopoto (te reo Māori abstract) can be found in the Supplementary material.

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A Neglected Cost of Brood Parasitism: Egg Punctures by Shiny Cowbirds During Inspection of Potential Host Nests

The Condor ◽

10.1093/condor/104.2.407 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 104 (2) ◽

pp. 407-412 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Viviana Massoni ◽

Juan Carlos Reboreda

Keyword(s):

Survival Rate ◽

Clutch Size ◽

Brood Parasitism ◽

Hatching Success ◽

Egg Survival ◽

Potential Host ◽

Molothrus Bonariensis ◽

Nest Desertion ◽

The Impact ◽

Free Area

Abstract Parasitized hosts of the Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) suffer several costs, and among the most important is the loss of eggs through egg punctures inflicted by the parasite. Unparasitized nests also have eggs damaged by cowbirds, but researchers usually ignore these losses. To quantify this cost we compared three groups of nests of the Yellow-winged Blackbird (Agelaius thilius): parasitized and unparasitized nests from an area used by Shiny Cowbirds, and unparasitized nests from an area not used by the parasite. Because cowbirds puncture eggs as soon as the first host eggs are laid, we calculated the clutch size only for those nests found during construction. Unparasitized nests in the area used by cowbirds had lower egg survival rate and hatching success and higher probability of nest desertion than unparasitized nests in the cowbird-free area. Our results indicate that one must consider egg punctures at unparasitized nests to avoid underestimating the impact of parasitism. Un Costo Ignorado del Parasitismo de Cría: Perforación de Huevos por Molothrus bonariensis durante la Inspección de Potenciales Nidos de Hospedadores Resumen. Los hospedadores de Molothrus bonariensis sufren varios costos, entre los que se destaca la pérdida de huevos debida a perforaciónes hechas por el parásito. Los nidos no parasitados también tienen huevos perforados por M. bonariensis, pero estas pérdidas son normalmente ignoradas. Para cuantificar este costo comparamos tres grupos de nidos de Agelaius thilius: nidos parasitados y no parasitados de un área usada por M. bonariensis, y nidos no parasitados de un área no utilizada por el parásito. Como los parásitos perforan los huevos del hospedador tan pronto como éstos son puestos, el tamaño de puesta se calculó utilizando únicamente los nidos encontrados durante su construcción. Los nidos no parasitados del área visitada por los parásitos tuvieron menor supervivencia de sus huevos durante la incubación, menor éxito de eclosión y mayor probabilidad de ser abandonados que los nidos no parasitados del área libre de parásitos. Los resultados obtenidos indican que deben considerarse las perforaciones de huevos en nidos no parasitados para evitar subestimar el impacto del parasitismo.

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Host–parasite coevolution beyond the nestling stage? Mimicry of host fledglings by the specialist screaming cowbird

Proceedings of The Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rspb.2012.0612 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 279 (1742) ◽

pp. 3401-3408 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

María C. De Mársico ◽

Mariela G. Gantchoff ◽

Juan C. Reboreda

Keyword(s):

Survival Rates ◽

Plumage Colour ◽

Brood Parasite ◽

Primary Host ◽

Brood Parasites ◽

Molothrus Bonariensis ◽

Egg Mimicry ◽

Host Parasite ◽

Host Rejection

Egg mimicry by obligate avian brood parasites and host rejection of non-mimetic eggs are well-known textbook examples of host–parasite coevolution. By contrast, reciprocal adaptations and counteradaptations beyond the egg stage in brood parasites and their hosts have received less attention. The screaming cowbird ( Molothrus rufoaxillaris ) is a specialist obligate brood parasite whose fledglings look identical to those of its primary host, the baywing ( Agelaioides badius ). Such a resemblance has been proposed as an adaptation in response to host discrimination against odd-looking young, but evidence supporting this idea is scarce. Here, we examined this hypothesis by comparing the survival rates of young screaming cowbirds and non-mimetic shiny cowbirds ( Molothrus bonariensis ) cross-fostered to baywing nests and quantifying the similarity in plumage colour and begging calls between host and cowbird fledglings. Shiny cowbirds suffered higher post-fledging mortality rates (83%) than screaming cowbirds (0%) owing to host rejection. Visual modelling revealed that screaming cowbirds, but not shiny cowbirds, were indistinguishable from host young in plumage colour. Similarly, screaming cowbirds matched baywings' begging calls more closely than shiny cowbirds. Our results strongly support the occurrence of host fledgling mimicry in screaming cowbirds and suggest a role of visual and vocal cues in fledgling discrimination by baywings.

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Reproductive Success of Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus Bonariensis) Parasitizing the Larger Brown-and-Yellow Marshbird (Pseudoleistes Virescens) in Argentina

The Auk ◽

10.1093/auk/120.4.1128 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 120 (4) ◽

pp. 1128-1139

Author(s):

Myriam E. Mermoz ◽

Juan C. Reboreda

Keyword(s):

Growth Rate ◽

Reproductive Success ◽

Clutch Size ◽

Life History Traits ◽

Hatching Success ◽

Chick Survival ◽

Molothrus Bonariensis ◽

Large Clutch ◽

Survival And Growth ◽

Host Life

Abstract Shiny Cowbirds (Molothrus bonariensis) often parasitize larger hosts. It has been proposed that larger hosts are preferred by that parasite because they provide higher reproductive success, but available data are quite variable. We studied the reproductive success of Shiny Cowbirds in nests of Brown-and-yellow Marshbirds (Pseudoleistes virescens), a larger and often multiply parasitized host. To estimate the extent of interspecific competition, we compared the hatching success of parasite eggs in nests with and without reduction of the clutch size of the host as a result of egg punctures inflicted by the parasite, and the survival and growth of parasite chicks reared with and without host chicks. To estimate the extent of intraspecific competition, we compared Shiny Cowbird egg losses, hatching success, and chick survival in singly versus multiply parasitized nests. Reproductive success of Shiny Cowbirds was 8% with depredation causing 80% of losses. Clutch reduction due to egg punctures were higher in multiply than in singly parasitized nests, but it did not improve hatching success of parasite eggs. Neither survival nor growth of parasite chicks was affected by the presence of host chicks. Shiny Cowbird hatching success and chick survival did not differ between singly and multiply parasitized nests. Parasite chicks were smaller than same-age Brown-and-yellow Marshbird chicks. However, because parasite chicks hatched one or two days before host chicks and had a higher growth rate, they were the larger chicks in the nest. Overall Shiny Cowbird reproductive success in Brown-and-yellow Marshbird nests was apparently higher than that reported in other smaller or similar-sized hosts. We think that host life-history traits like large clutch size, a longer incubation period, and slower growth rate of chicks are responsible for the high reproductive success of Shiny Cowbirds with Brown-and-yellow Marshbirds.

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Impact of Shiny Cowbird and botfly parasitism on the reproductive success of the globally endangered Yellow CardinalGubernatrix cristata

Bird Conservation International ◽

10.1017/s095927091400015x ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 294-305 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

MARISOL DOMÍNGUEZ ◽

JUAN CARLOS REBOREDA ◽

BETTINA MAHLER

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Success ◽

Clutch Size ◽

Brood Parasitism ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Nest Survival ◽

Chick Survival ◽

Molothrus Bonariensis ◽

North East ◽

Conservation Actions ◽

The Impact

SummaryThe Yellow CardinalGubernatrix cristatais a globally endangered passerine endemic to southern South America. Although the conservation status of this species is alarming, there is no information about factors that affect its reproductive success. We studied the breeding biology of a Yellow Cardinal population in Corrientes province in north-east Argentina and report reproductive parameters, such as timing of breeding, clutch size, hatching success and chick survival and analyse factors influencing nest survival. The breeding season lasted from October to December with most nesting attempts occurring during the second half of November. Re-nesting after nest failure occurred in approximately 35% of pairs but we did not observe re-nesting after successful attempts. Modal clutch size was three eggs and successful nests fledged on average 1.6 chicks. We observed brood parasitism by Shiny CowbirdsMolothrus bonariensisin 33% of the nests. The main cost of brood parasitism was the puncture of cardinal eggs by cowbird females, which very often resulted in nest abandonment. Another factor reducing reproductive success was parasitism by botfliesPhilornissp., which occurred in 22% of the nests and reduced chick survival. We determined daily nest survival rate with MARK software and found that during the egg stage, it decreased with time of breeding and brood parasitism by Shiny Cowbirds. Our results indicate that Shiny Cowbird and botfly parasitism represent a threat for Yellow Cardinals. Conservation actions to protect the remaining populations of Yellow Cardinals should consider the impact of Shiny Cowbird parasitism.

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Preparing for translocations of a Critically Endangered petrel through targeted monitoring of nest survival and breeding biology

10.26686/wgtn.14607621 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

JH Fischer ◽

Heiko Wittmer ◽

GA Taylor ◽

I Debski ◽

DP Armstrong

Keyword(s):

Southern Oscillation ◽

Nest Survival ◽

Growth Curves ◽

Breeding Biology ◽

Source Population ◽

Breeding Phenology ◽

Chick Survival ◽

Egg Survival ◽

Dune System ◽

Burrow Density

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Does the vicinity of the Black-Headed Gull colony (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) increase the breeding success of the Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) on the islands of the middle Vistula?

Studia Ecologiae et Bioethicae ◽

10.21697/seb.2018.16.4.04 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 43-50

Author(s):

Dariusz Bukackiński ◽

Monika Bukacińska ◽

Milena Grabowska

Keyword(s):

Hatching Success ◽

Single Species ◽

Common Tern ◽

Egg Mass ◽

Chick Survival ◽

Effective Protection ◽

Vistula River ◽

Nesting Site ◽

The Common ◽

The City

We conducted our study in the Common Tern colony (STH) located on an island in the middle Vistula River course, at the height of the city of Dęblin (km 393–394 of the waterway), in 2017. Our goal was to investigate some aspects of the biology and reproductive ecology of this species. Due to the fact that STH breeds both in single-species as well as in two- or multi-species colonies, in associations with Little Terns (Sternula albifrons), Black-Headed Gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) (LAR) and/or Mew Gulls (Larus canus), we wanted to investigate whether the neighborhood of other species (in this case LAR) affected hatching success and chick survival in STH. Our results clearly show that the presence of breeding terns in the neighborhood of the LAR colony was not accidental and/or caused by the lack of space on the island and/or the possibility of nesting elsewhere. The height of nesting site, type of nesting habitat, clutch size, mean egg volume and mean egg mass of these STH pairs did not differ significantly from those that formed a single species colony, on the same island but several hundred meters away. However, STH nests in the neighborhood of the LAR colony were established much earlier and both the hatching success and chick survival of STH during the early-chick stage were twice as high. Thus, we can conclude that the LAR colony could provide an effective protection against predation of crows, magpies and gulls, dangers which accounted for the vast majority of STH nest failures in the year of our study.

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