AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Responses of Five Host Species to Cowbird Parasitism

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1988
Authors:Graham, DS
Journal:The Condor
Volume:90
Issue:3
Date Published:1988
ISBN Number:00105422
Keywords:Cardinalidae, Cardinalis, Cardinalis cardinalis, Dendroica, Dendroica petechia, Emberizidae, Icteridae, Melospiza, Melospiza melodia, Molothrus, Molothrus ater, Parulidae, Passerella, Passerella melodia, Passerina, Setophaga, Setophaga petechia, Spizella, Spizella passerina, Vireo, Vireo olivaceus, Vireonidae, Zonotrichia, Zonotrichia melodia
Abstract:Responses of the Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus), Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia), Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina), and Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) to Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) parasitism were determined from nest records compiled at the Ontario Nest Record Scheme. Nest desertion was the principal mode of rejection of cowbird eggs. The Yellow Warbler also rejected parasite eggs by burying clutches under a second nest bottom. The probability of rejection did not vary during the breeding season or between multiply- and singly-parasitized pairs. Possible stimuli used by hosts to recognize parasitism are discussed.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/1368347
Short Title:The Condor
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