Further Evidence of Parasitism of Chopi Blackbirds (Gnorimopsar chopi) by the Specialized Screaming Cowbird (Molothrus rufoaxillaris)

The Screaming Cowbird (Molothrus rufoaxillaris) is the most specialized avian brood parasite within the New World icterine blackbirds. Throughout most of its range in Argentina, Screaming Cowbirds parasitize a single host, the Bay-winged Cowbird Molothrus badius. Chicks of both species share a commo...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Condor (Los Angeles, Calif.) Calif.), 1996-11, Vol.98 (4), p.866-867
Main Author: Fraga, Rosendo M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal ethology
Aves
Biological and medical sciences
Bird nesting
Birds
Brood parasitism
Chicks
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Molothrus rufoaxillaris
Plumage
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Short Communications
Vertebrata
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The Screaming Cowbird (Molothrus rufoaxillaris) is the most specialized avian brood parasite within the New World icterine blackbirds. Throughout most of its range in Argentina, Screaming Cowbirds parasitize a single host, the Bay-winged Cowbird Molothrus badius. Chicks of both species share a common plumage and similar calls. Nevertheless, Sick showed that Screaming Cowbirds at the northern (tropical) edge of their distribution in Southeast Brazil parasitized another icterine, the Chopi Blackbird (Gnorimopsar chopi). Recently Mermoz and Reboreda found evidence of Screaming Cowbird parasitism of a third icterine blackbird, the Brown-and-Yellow Marshbird (Pseudoleistes virescens). Here I present data showing that Chopi Blackbirds are still effective hosts of Screaming Cowbirds in a locality in Northeast Argentina 410 km SW from the site reported by Sick, and comment on the importance and origin of this interaction.
ISSN:0010-5422
1938-5129
DOI:10.2307/1369874