Genetic relatedness in Monk Parakeet breeding trios

Abstract

Monk Parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) are cooperative breeders, which means that one adult helps the breeding pair (trios). We found a breeding trio composed of two males and one female in a single breeding chamber of a two-chamber compound nest. Males were full siblings. The female was the half sibling of both males. The female and one male were genetic parents of all nestlings. The sampled parakeet population showed a higher than expected level of inbreeding. The Monk Parakeet provides an interesting model for understanding of the role and benefits of helping and extra parental behavior in cooperative breeding birds.