Little Cuckoo Research Articles

ОСОБЛИВОСТІ УКРАЇНСЬКОГО ПЕРЕКЛАДУ 469-Ї ВАКА З ЯПОНСЬКОЇ АНТОЛОГІЇ "КОКІНВАКАШЮ" (ЗА РЕЗУЛЬТАТАМИ НАУКОВОЇ КОНФЕРЕНЦІЇ "ПОЕЗІЯ ВАКА У СВІТІ ")

According to the results of the online academic conference "Waka poetry around the world: Viewing reception and transformation of Japanese culture through multilingual translation", an analysis of the Ukrainian translation of the 469th waka poem from the poetic anthology "Kokin Wakashū" (the Collection of Japanese Poetry Ancient and Modern) by I. P. Bondarenko was carried out. It is this translation that is the subject of the presented study. The goal, which was to reveal the peculiarities of the Ukrainian version of the mentioned poem, was achieved due to its comparison with Chinese, English, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, and Spanish translations. It was found that the Ukrainian translation of the waka poem No. 469 from the anthology "Kokin Wakashū" is characterized by common features that are typical for a number of translations into European languages. In particular, the syllabic structure of the original (a waka poem is composed of 5-7-5-7-7 syllables) has not been preserved in the Ukrainian translation, as well as in the other translations, and these translations themselves are written in five lines. Such common features also include lexical-semantic transformations caused by the difficulties of translating Japanese realia into European languages. For example, such nominations from the original work as "hototogisu" and "ayame" in many multilingual translation versions, including the studied Ukrainian one, are translated with the help of the words "cuckoo" and "iris", respectively, instead of their exact analogues – "lesser cuckoo" and "iris sanguinea". At the same time, there are foreign language versions with observance of the original syllabic verse and an accurate translation of the mentioned realia. Along with the common features, some features that make the translation of the 469th waka verse into Ukrainian unique were also revealed. Among those the translation of the original "satsuki" (the fifth month according to the old calendar and approximately June according to the modern one) as the season of the growth of herbs through the Ukrainian equivalent to "May" (the fifth month according to the modern calendar) literally meaning the "month of herbs", as well as the combination of the first and the second part of the poem through an emotional connection can be named.

Variations of Hawk Mimicry Traits in the Four Sympatric Cuculus Cuckoos

A well-known visual signal, hawk-like features such as yellow eyes and feet, and barred underparts have been recognized as coevolutionary traits obtained against host defense in Cuculus cuckoos. However, the variation of these traits within and among species remains poorly understood because empirical studies quantifying these traits are limited in terms of the number of studies and the number of species concerned, and mostly depend on museum collections. In this study, we quantified and compared these traits as well as other new features (e.g., inner wing spot and underpart background color) in the four sympatric Cuculus cuckoos (Cuculus poliocephalus, Cuculus micropterus, Cuculus optatus, and Cuculus canorus) that were wild-captured in South Korea. We found that the yellow color of the eye ring and feet was fairly consistent across the four species. However, the iris color appeared to vary within a species (e.g., between sexes) and varied more substantially among species from nearly black in C. micropterus to bright yellow in C. canorus. In addition, there were significant differences among species with respect to the thickness of the underpart bars, from the thinnest in C. canorus to the thickest in C. micropterus. We also found that the underpart color (pure white versus yellowish brown) and the number of inner wing spots varied within and among species. These results indicate that although hawk-like traits are widely present in Cuculus cuckoos, detailed quantitative features of these traits vary across species. We discuss the potential reasons that generate such variations and suggest future directions to increase our understanding of visual signals in avian brood parasitism.

Adult Lesser Cuckoo Cuculus poliocephalus Killing Japanese Bush Warbler Cettia diphone Nestlings

We documented an adult Lesser Cuckoo Cuculus poliocephalus killing nine-day-old Japanese Bush Warbler Cettia diphone nestlings by ejecting them from their nest. Among the available hypotheses concerning brood-parasitic birds destroying host nest contents, only the ‘farming hypothesis’ helps to explain this case, although the attack did not force the warbler to immediately re-nesting because one nestling survived. Considering the long breeding season and frequent re-nesting habit of the Japanese Bush Warbler, as well as the delayed arrival of the Lesser Cuckoo into the breeding area, such predatory behavior seems to be effective in creating replacement clutches for future parasitism.

Habitat selection in the lesser cuckoo, an avian brood parasite breeding on Jeju Island, Korea

BackgroundDetermining patterns of habitat use is key to understanding of animal ecology. Approximately 1% of bird species use brood parasitism for their breeding strategy, in which they exploit other species’ (hosts) parental care by laying eggs in their nests. Brood parasitism may complicate the habitat requirement of brood parasites because they need habitats that support both their host and their own conditions for breeding. Brood parasitism, through changes in reproductive roles of sex or individual, may further diversify habitat use patterns among individuals. However, patterns of habitat use in avian brood parasites have rarely been characterized. In this study, we categorized the habitat preference of a population of brood parasitic lesser cuckoos (Cuculus poliocephalus) breeding on Jeju Island, Korea. By using compositional analyses together with radio-tracking and land cover data, we determined patterns of habitat use and their sexual and diurnal differences.ResultsWe found that the lesser cuckoo had a relatively large home range and its overall habitat composition (the second-order selection) was similar to those of the study area; open areas such as the field and grassland habitats accounted for 80% of the home range. Nonetheless, their habitat, comprised of 2.54 different habitats per hectare, could be characterized as a mosaic. We also found sexual differences in habitat composition and selection in the core-use area of home ranges (third-order selection). In particular, the forest habitat was preferentially utilized by females, while underutilized by males. However, there was no diurnal change in the pattern of habitat use. Both sexes preferred field habitats at the second-order selection. At the third-order selection, males preferred field habitats followed by grasslands and females preferred grasslands followed by forest habitats.ConclusionsWe suggest that the field and grassland habitats represent the two most important areas for the lesser cuckoo on Jeju Island. Nevertheless, this study shows that habitat preference may differ between sexes, likely due to differences in sex roles, sex-based energy demands, and potential sexual conflict.

Host-parasite interaction augments climate change effect in an avian brood parasite, the lesser cuckoo Cuculus poliocephalus

Avian brood parasites such as Cuculus cuckoos are recognized to be affected more severely by the adverse effect of climate change owing to close host-parasite relationships. However, the spatial effect of climate change has rarely been assessed in the avian brood parasite-host system. To test this effect, we predicted the distribution shift of an avian brood parasite, the lesser cuckoo Cuculus poliocephalus and its announced 12 host species according to climate change scenarios. Using species occurrence data (presence-only) and environmental variables obtained from publicly available databases, we developed species distribution models under the current and future climate conditions and then compared how much their ranges and the overlap between the cuckoo and hosts are predicted to change owing to climate change. The amount of suitable habitats for the lesser cuckoo and for most host species was predicted to decrease, all the while the ranges generally shifted northward. Climate change also decreased the amount of overlap between the lesser cuckoo and its hosts. This is a mechanism that may significantly shrink the realised range of the lesser cuckoo and should therefore be taken into account in range projections. These results provide evidence that climate change affects cuckoos not only through altered abiotic factors but also because cuckoos and hosts could react differently to such changes, jeopardizing the ability of parasites to track their climate envelope.

Birds of Imbak Canyon Study Centre, Imbak Canyon Conservation Area, Tongod, Sabah, Malaysia

A survey on birds of the Imbak Canyon Study Centre was conducted from 16th to 26th August 2017, in every direction along the roads, forest trails through the understorey, i.e. whenever fine weather permitted. A total of 92 species of birds from 33 families were recorded. A total of 27 species are Near Threatened, one species is Vulnerable (Blue-headed Pitta), one species is not recorded (White-crowned Shama) and one species are Critically Endangered (Helmeted Hornbill). The present survey contributed nine new records to the area, updating the compiled list to 252 species, from the previous 243 species. The nine new records are Lesser Cuckoo Shrike, Red-bearded Bee-eater, Dark-sided Flycatcher, Yellow-vented Flowerpecker, Van Hasselt’s Sunbird, Temminck’s Sunbird, Yellow-bellied Prinia, Bold-striped Tit Babbler, and White-necked Babbler. All new records of the area are in the Least Concern category except the White-necked Babbler, which is Near Threatened.

Seasonal and diurnal patterns of population vocal activity in avian brood parasites

Patterns of vocal activity may involve information about vocalizations themselves as well as their function. In birds, vocal activity at the individual and population level is generally closely associated with breeding cycles, reaching the peak during territorial and mating competition, and decreasing with the onset of egg incubation and chick feeding. However, little is known about patterns of vocal activity in avian brood parasites that have unusual breeding cycles without parental care. Using passive acoustic monitoring, we determined the seasonal and diurnal patterns of population vocal activity in two avian brood parasites: the Common CuckooCuculus canorusand the Lesser CuckooC. poliocephalus. We found that both species and both sexes showed a similarly highly structured pattern of seasonal vocal activity, reaching a sharp peak in the early breeding season when birds compete for territories and mates, although males sang more frequently than females. Likewise, the diurnal patterns of vocal activity were similar in both species and both sexes of cuckoos, with peak activity occurring around dawn. Nocturnal calls by male cuckoos were also detected in both species, but only in the early breeding season. Collectively, the observed patterns of population vocal activity may suggest that the absence of parental care may not extend the period of vocal activity in these two species of brood parasites.

Home range overlap and its genetic correlates in an avian brood parasite, the lesser cuckoo Cuculus poliocephalus

The absence of parental care is of importance in the evolution of mating and breeding systems. However, its importance in the evolution of these systems in higher vertebrates, such as birds and mammals, has not been well defined since nearly all of them exhibit some form of parental care. Avian brood parasites thus provide a unique opportunity to explore the effect of a lack of parental care in higher vertebrates because they shift care for their progeny onto other species. We investigated the social system of an avian brood parasite, the lesser cuckoo (Cuculus poliocephalus), by using a comprehensive approach that included field observation, radio-tracking, and genetic analyses. We found that genetically unrelated, multiple males and females coexist in a single area; radio-tracking confirmed that this co-occurrence was neither temporary nor arbitrary. Instead, sympatric cuckoos appeared to share their home ranges and often chased each other for mating without antagonistic physical interaction. We conclude that the lesser cuckoo may employ a scramble competition mating system without territoriality, and that this mating system, which is unusual in higher vertebrates, may have arisen due to the absence of parental care. Future studies assessing the parentage of nestlings are needed to establish the genetic basis of this social system.

Cuckoos vs. top predators as prime bioindicators of biodiversity in disturbed environments

We studied the abundance of the common cuckoo Cuculus canorus L. little cuckoo Cuculus poliocephalus L. and Asian cuckoo Cuculus saturatus L. and avian top predators as indicators of bird species richness (surrogate of biodiversity) in disturbed environments caused by radioactive contamination in Chernobyl, Ukraine and Fukushima, Japan, comparing their efficiency as indicators of local biodiversity hotspots.Bird species richness and birds abundance were quantified in each sample site during the breeding seasons between 2006 and 2015 and the level of background radiation was measured at every site. The correlation between number of cuckoos, top predators, land use composition and level of background radiation with bird species richness as response variable were examined using Generalized Linear Mixed Models. The strength of correlation between species richness and abundance and the covariates obtained from the model outputs were used as measure of the efficiency of each predictor, as well as the AIC of each model. Background radiation was negatively correlated with bird species richness and bird abundance in both countries, while number of top predators and cuckoos were both positively correlated with bird species richness and abundance. However, model with number of cuckoos was more performant than model with number of avian top predators. These differences in performance supports the hypothesis that cuckoos are a largely superior bioindicator than top predators.

Color Morph Variation in Two Brood Parasites: Common Cuckoo and Lesser Cuckoo

Abstract Variation in plumage color in the family Cuculidae has become an interesting subject for model systems in the study of avian color evolution. It is notable that in certain parasitic species, such as the Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus and Lesser Cuckoo C. poliocephalus, it is only the females that exhibit color polymorphism, with either gray or rufous morphs. However, a general lack of systematic quantitative data on color morphs means that the underlying mechanism of color morph variation remains unclear. Our studies of wild-captured male and female cuckoos (both of the above species) have shown that their plumage morphs vary not only between the sexes, but also within sexes. In addition, the extent of color variation differs between the two species. Great variations are observed in the plumage morphs of female Lesser Cuckoos from gray to rufous with various kinds of intermediate forms, whereas only the gray females are observed in common cuckoos. Our results show that the range of plumage morphs ...

Hormone profiles of obligate avian brood parasites during the breeding season

The ultimate explanations for avian brood parasitism have been studied intensively as a model system for coevolution, but little is known about the proximate mechanisms, for example hormonal regulation, underlying brood parasitic behaviour. In this study, we explored seasonal hormone profiles in two brood parasitic Cuculus species breeding in the Republic of Korea. As brood parasites have relatively simple breeding stages without incubation and provisioning, we predicted that during the breeding season individuals would exhibit similar levels of testosterone (T) and stress‐induced corticosterone (CORT), hormones that are known to be closely related to the transition of breeding stages. We also assessed how these hormone profiles were associated with traits such as body size and sex. Overall, male cuckoos showed similarly high T levels throughout the breeding season, as predicted, but individual variation became greater as the season progressed. Individual CORT levels tended to decrease as the season progressed, although the decrease was significant only in Common Cuckoos Cuculus canorus. We also found that male Lesser Cuckoos Cuculus poliocephalus showed a much higher level of T than females, as expected, but this sexual difference was not observed in Common Cuckoos. Our results suggest that the seasonal hormone profiles of avian brood parasites are likely to be similar to typical hormone profiles expected for non‐brood parasites during the breeding season. This may suggest that not only the breeding cycle but also other factors such as social interaction may be affected by hormonal changes. Further studies are needed to fully understand the proximate mechanism of avian brood parasitism.

Complete mitochondrial genome and the phylogenetic position of the Lesser Cuckoo, Cuculus poliocephalus (Aves: Cuculiformes)

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Lesser Cuckoo Cuculus poliocephalus was determined using next-generation sequencing. Phylogenetic analyses with 20 cuckoo species and six genes (12S, ATP6, CYTb, ND2, ND3, and ND6) strongly verified the identity of our sample as grouping with C. poliocephalus, which was sister to a clade of other Cuculus spp., including C. canorus, C. micropterus, and C. saturatus. The mitogenomic length of C. poliocephalus was 17 508 bp, including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, one control region with 48 bp unit tandem repeats close to 3′ end, and one short pseudo-control region with 33 tandem repeats of CAACAAA. An extra nucleotide (T) was identified at position 174 of ND3. The mitogenome of C. poliocephalus will contribute to studies of mitogenomic evolution, the phylogenetic relationship of cuckoos, and the co-evolutionary pattern between brood parasitic birds and their hosts.

An Eastern Crowned Leaf WarblerPhylloscopus coronatusNest parasitized by an Oriental CuckooCuculus saturatuswith a Reddish Egg in Hokkaido, Japan

Abstract The distributions of the Little Cuculus poliocephalus and Oriental C. saturatus cuckoos differ throughout Japan. In Honshu, the Little Cuckoo parasitizes mainly the Japanese Bush Warbler Cettia diphone and lays reddish mimetic eggs. The Oriental Cuckoo mainly parasitizes the Eastern Crowned Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus coronatus and lays whitish eggs. However, in central Hokkaido, where no Little Cuckoos breed, Oriental Cuckoos parasitize Japanese Bush Warblers as their main hosts, in whose nests they lay reddish eggs. Anecdotal evidence suggests that they also parasitize Eastern Crowned Leaf Warblers, laying reddish eggs, but this has not been confirmed. Here, we report the first complete evidence in which an Oriental Cuckoo chick, which hatched from a non-mimetic reddish egg, was raised by Eastern Crowned Leaf Warbler hosts in Hokkaido.

Diversity of parasitic cuckoos and their hosts in China

Abstract In this expose we provide the first review of host use by brood parasitic cuckoos in a multiple-cuckoo system in China, based on our own long-term field data and a compilation of observations obtained from the literature. In total, we found that 11 species of cuckoos utilized altogether 55 host species. These hosts belong to 15 families, in which Sylviidae, Turdidae and Timaliidae account for 22.6%, 20.8% and 17.0% of parasitism records, respectively. The Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) had the widest range of host species, accounting for 45.5% of the total number of parasitized species (25 in 10 families) of all parasitism records and is the most frequent brood parasite in the country. Cuckoo species differed in their egg coloration and the extent of egg polymorphism with most of them, e.g. the Common Cuckoo, the Lesser Cuckoo (C. poliocephalus) and the Plaintive Cuckoo (Cacomantis merulinus) laying well mimetic eggs with respect to their hosts based on human being’s visual observations, while others such as the Large Hawk-cuckoo (C. sparverioides), the Himalayan Cuckoo (C. saturatus) and the Asian Emerald Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx maculatus) usually laid non-mimetic eggs. The use of cuckoo hosts and egg color variation in China are compared with those in other parts of their ranges in Asia.

First record of Souimanga Sunbird Cinnyris souimanga as a host of Madagascar Lesser Cuckoo Cuculus rochii, at Ankamenabe, Madagascar

First record of Souimanga Sunbird Cinnyris souimanga as a host of Madagascar Lesser Cuckoo Cuculus rochii, at Ankamenabe, Madagascar

Seasonal increase in intensity of nest defence against little cuckoos by Japanese bush warblers

Avian brood parasitism reduces the reproductive success of hosts. Thus, hosts have evolved antiparasite strategies such as rejection of parasitic eggs and aggressive nest defence against brood parasites. Japanese bush warblers, Cettia diphone , do not reject the parasitic eggs of little cuckoos, Cuculus poliocephalus , because their eggs mimic warblers’ eggs. To examine whether Japanese bush warblers show nest defence behaviour against their parasite, I investigated the responses of the warblers to a little cuckoo dummy. Japanese bush warblers are residents, while little cuckoos are summer visitors; thus, the warblers start breeding earlier than the cuckoos. Accordingly, the risk of being parasitized increases as the season progresses. Therefore, I also examined whether the intensity of nest defence differed before and after cuckoo arrival. Japanese bush warblers showed remarkably aggressive responses to the cuckoo dummy, and levels of aggression were higher after the cuckoo arrived. These results suggest that Japanese bush warblers adaptively adjust their nest defence behaviour in response to increased risk of being parasitized. This study indicates that differences in migratory habits between hosts and brood parasites produce seasonal changes in antiparasite behaviour.

Brood parasitism and egg mimicry on Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler (Cettia fortipes) by Lesser Cuckoo (Cuculus poliocephalus)

Nest fate of Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler (Cettia fortipes) was conducted in breeding seasons from 1999 to 2009 in Kuankuoshui Natural Reserve, Guizhou province. Predation rate, parasitism rate, hatching success, nesting success and reproductive success were surveyed and egg color was quantified using spectrophotometer. Principal component analysis, reflectance spectrum and Robinson Project were used to analyze the egg color of bush warbler and egg mimicry of Lesser Cuckoo (Cuculus poliocephalus) in parasitized nests. Our results indicated that the Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler suffered from high predation rate and relatively high parasitism rate of 49.26% and 9.18%, respectively. Reflectance analysis showed that the hue and chroma of Lesser Cuckoo eggs were highly mimetic but the egg brightness and ultraviolet reflectance were different from the bush warbler.

The Avifauna in Ulleungdo

The avian fauna of Ulleungdo (Is.) was studied between June of 2006 and July of 2010, and the results gathered over 10 study session included a total of 18,046 individuals of 92 species. Dominant species included, in decreasing order, black-tailed gull (Larus crassirostris) at 13,188 individuals (73.1%), russet sparrow (Passer rutilans) at 1,278 individuals (7.08%), and white-rumped swift (Apus pacificus) at 900 individuals (4.99%). In terms of the time of the year, the highest numbers of species were detected in May of 2007 at 50 species and the highest numbers of birds were detected in February of 2009 at 4,137 individuals. In relation to endangered species designated by the Ministry of Environment, the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and Eurasian buzzard (Buteo buteo) were detected, and natural monument species designated by the Cultural Heritage Administration including the Japanese wood pigeon (Columba janthina), grey frog hawk (Accipiter soloensis), common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), peregrine falcon, oriental scops owl (Otus scops), mandarin duck (Aix galericulata) and the little cuckoo(Cuculus poliocephalus) were detected. Compared to previous studies, a total of 33 new species, including the red-throated diver (Gavia stellata) and the Swinhoe's fork-tailed petrel (Oceanodroma monorhis), were observed.

Responses of the Bush Warbler Cettia diphone to artificial eggs of Cuculus cuckoos in Japan

Artificial eggs of six different colours and control eggs of Bush Warblers Cettia diphone were introduced into nests of Bush Warblers, a host of both Little and Himalayan Cuckoos Cuculus poliocephalus and C. saturatw in Japan. All control (chocolate‐brown) and artificial red eggs were accepted; all grey and all white eggs were rejected. The rejection rates of orange, pink and orange spots on grey eggs were 8%, 369; and 55%, respectively. Bush arblers are more likely to reject eggs the more dissimilar they are from their own. The results strengthen the possibility that the chocolate‐brown eggs of Little and Himalayan Cuckoos may have evolved through the discriminative ability of Bush Warblers and their intolerance towards dissimilar eggs.

VOCALIZATIONS AND STATUS OF LITTLE AND HIMALAYAN CUCKOOS, CUCULUS POLIOCEPHALUS AND C. SATURATUS, IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

IbisVolume 117, Issue 3 p. 366-371 VOCALIZATIONS AND STATUS OF LITTLE AND HIMALAYAN CUCKOOS, CUCULUS POLIOCEPHALUS AND C. SATURATUS, IN SOUTHEAST ASIA D. R. Wells, D. R. Wells Zoology Department University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaSearch for more papers by this authorJ. H. Becking, J. H. Becking Institute for Atomic Sciences in Agriculture, Postbus 48, Wageningen, The NetherlandsSearch for more papers by this author D. R. Wells, D. R. Wells Zoology Department University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaSearch for more papers by this authorJ. H. Becking, J. H. Becking Institute for Atomic Sciences in Agriculture, Postbus 48, Wageningen, The NetherlandsSearch for more papers by this author First published: July 1975 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919X.1975.tb04223.xCitations: 3AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume117, Issue3July 1975Pages 366-371 RelatedInformation