Ecology and Management of Cowbirds and Their Hosts
Ecology and Management of Cowbirds and Their Hosts

Author: James N. M. Smith

Publisher: University of Texas Press

Published: 2000

Total Pages: 401

ISBN-13: 0292777388

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In the past two centuries, cowbirds have increased in numbers and extended their range across North America, while many of the native songbird species whose nests they parasitize to raise their young have declined. This timely book collects forty essays by most of the principal authorities on the biology and management of cowbirds. The book's goals are to explore the biology of cowbirds, the threats they pose to host species and populations, and the management programs that are being undertaken to minimize these threats. The book is organized into five sections, each with an extended editors' introduction that places the contributions in a broad, up-to-date setting. The sections cover: ? The changing abundance of cowbirds and the ways in which their numbers can be estimated. ? Host choice by cowbirds, the negative effects of cowbirds on particular host species, and the daily patterns of cowbird behavior. ? Behavioral interactions between cowbirds and specific host species. ? Patterns of cowbird abundance and host use across varying landscapes. ? Management programs designed to control cowbirds and protect threatened songbirds. James N. M. Smith teaches at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Terry L. Cook works for the Nature Conservancy in Seattle. Stephen I. Rothstein teaches at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Scott K. Robinson holds joint appointments at the Illinois Natural History Survey and the University of Illinois, Champaign. Spencer G. Sealy teaches at the University of Manitoba.

Avian Brood Parasitism
Avian Brood Parasitism

Author: Manuel Soler

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2018-05-02

Total Pages: 566

ISBN-13: 3319731386

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Brood parasitism has become one of the most flourishing areas of research in evolutionary ecology and one of the best model systems for investigating coevolution. This subject has undergone remarkable advances during the last two decades, but has not been covered by any book in the 21st century. This book offers a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the fascinating field of avian brood parasitism. The topics covered include conspecific brood parasitism; evolution and phylogenetic history of avian brood parasites; parasitic behaviour used by brood parasites; adaptations and counter-adaptations of brood parasites and their hosts at every stage of the breeding cycle (before laying, egg, chick and fledgling stages); factors affecting the evolution of host defences and parasitic attacks; the role of phenotypic plasticity in host defences; mechanisms driving egg recognition and rejection; evolution of nest sharing or nest killing by brood parasite chicks; begging behaviour in parasitized nests and food delivery by host adults; and recognition of conspecifics by juvenile brood parasites. This volume provides a comprehensive reference resource for readers and researchers with an interest in birds, behaviour and evolution, as well as a source of hypotheses and predictions for future investigations into this dynamic subject.