Avian Brood Parasitism: Behaviour, Ecology, Evolution and Coevolution

by Manuel Soler
May 2018

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.

• Provides new insights into the ecology and behaviour of brood parasites
• Covers the major areas of brood parasitism in 30 chapters written by an authority or authorities in the field
• Discusses the coevolutionary arms race between brood parasites and their hosts

An invaluable resource for researchers in brood parasitism as well as a comprehensive reference for ornithologists, ecologists, ethologists, and researchers in general interested in the evolution of ecology, behaviour, and coevolution of brood parasites and their hosts

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