New cases of facultative interspecific brood parasitism in Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) and Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)

Alexandru N. Stermin

doi:10.2478/orhu-2021-0029

Abstract

Abstract Many hypotheses try to explain the evolution and possible relations between obligate and facultative brood parasitism in birds. To explore this, a large number of observations and data are needed. Our understanding based on the observations of facultative parasitic species published in the literature is less clear compared to the obligate parasitic species. This communication is about three cases of facultative interspecific brood parasitism. Two nests of Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) parasite by Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra) and one nest of Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) parasite by Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus). These observations are significant as long as interspecific brood parasitism was frequently described in Gruiformes (Rallidae) but has rarely observed within Charadriiformes.

Highlights

Many hypotheses try to explain the evolution and possible relations between obligate and facultative brood parasitism in birds
There are known facultative brood parasite species, which usually take care for their own eggs and young but in some cases lay their eggs in other nests from the same species and/or of another species (Mann 2007, Lyon & Eadie 2008)
Three cases of facultative interspecific brood parasitism were revealed during our field work in May 2021 in two ponds, Gruia (44.285426°; 22.689336°) and Gârla Mare (44.199930°; 22.775321°) from South Romania

Summary

Introduction

Many hypotheses try to explain the evolution and possible relations between obligate and facultative brood parasitism in birds. Around 109 bird species (1% of all birds) are obligate brood parasites, never incubate their own eggs or raise their own young (Mann 2017). There are known facultative brood parasite species, which usually take care for their own eggs and young but in some cases lay their eggs in other nests from the same species (conspecific parasites) and/or of another species (interspecific parasites) (Mann 2007, Lyon & Eadie 2008).

Results

Conclusion