Abstract
Tests using magpie's eggs (which are very similar to those of the great spotted cuckoo) on azure-winged magpies ( Cyanopica cyanea) showed that the latter accept strange eggs, rejecting only 25% of them. We therefore suggest that they are an accepter species, and as such a substitute host species for the great spotted cuckoo ( Clamator glandarius). We suggest a theory for the transition from ‘Accepter Species’ to ‘Non-mimetic-egg Rejecter Species’ by hosts of specialist brood parasites. We have obtained evidence of host recognition by great spotted cuckoo chicks of typical or atypical host species characteristics. Basing our theory on the calls of parasitic chicks reared in the nests of the azure-winged magpies and magpies ( Pica pica), we suggest that the foregoing is the mating mechanism necessary for the parasitization of a new host species.
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