Perforations in the tail features of parasitic Cuckoos

Abstract

Bouwman, H. 2000. Perforations in the tail features of parasitic Cuckoos. Ostrich 71 (1 & 2): 126. Perforations in the tail feathers of parasitic cuckoos have been observed in both live and museum specimens. These perforations occurring in the vane of the feather, are longitudinally arranged, and in many cases evenly spaced. The position, arrangement and spacing suggest that the perforations were not caused by feather mites. Anecdotal evidence and literature suggests that these perforations are probably caused by host birds during confrontations. Quantification of perforations in terms of species, age, sex, increase in damage during the breeding season, and in damage from breeding and non-breeding areas, supports this hypothesis. The parasitic species that parasitisc birds with stronger beaks (weavers and shrikes) tended to have more damage.