Observation of interspecific feeding by White-browed Shrike-Babbler (Pteruthius aeralatus) of brood-parasitic nestlings of Chestnut-winged Cuckoo (Clamator coromandus) in a Nest of Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush (Pterorhinus pectoralis).

Abstract

The occurrence of interspecific feeding events, involving non-obligate nest parasite species, is rare but has been documented in numerous avian species worldwide, particularly in Europe and North America. Our report presents an observation from southwest China, where we observed a Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush (Pterorhinus pectoralis) nest containing three laughingthrush nestlings and two nestlings of Chestnut-winged Cuckoos (Clamator coromandus). They were being fed by the adult laughingthrush and a male White-browed Shrike-Babbler (Pteruthius aeralatus). However, after the cuckoo nestling fledged, we did not observe the Shrike-Babbler feeding the laughingthrush nestlings remaining in the nest. Through a systematic examination of potential driving factors, we infer that the begging calls of the cuckoo nestlings likely played a crucial role in the misfeeding events observed in our study. However, it is essential to consider the potential influence of the male shrike-babbler's status, including mateless, brood loss or female incubation. We highlight the further observations using digital recordings (for both images and sounds) to document detailed information on interspecific feeding events.