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Direct observations of shining cuckoos (Chrysococcyx lucidus) parasitising and depredating grey warbler (Gerygone igata) nests

  • Publication Type

    Journal

  • Publication Year

    2007

  • Author(s)

    J.V. Briskie

  • Journal Name

    Notornis

  • Volume, Issue

    54, 1

  • Pagination

    15-19

  • Article Type

    Paper

Keywords

brood parasitism; Chrysococcyx lucidus; Gerygone igata; Grey Warbler; nestling eviction; Shining Cuckoo


Direct observations of shining cuckoos (Chrysococcyx lucidus) parasitising and depredating grey warbler (Gerygone igata) nests

Notornis, 54 (1), 15-19

J.V. Briskie (2007)

Article Type: Paper

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The grey warbler (Gerygone igata) is the main host of the shining cuckoo (Chrysoccocyx lucidus) in New Zealand. I describe 4 observations of egg-laying by shining cuckoos in the nests of grey warblers, and 2 observations of adult cuckoos evicting, or attempting to evict, nestling warblers from non-parasitised nests. Nest were parasitised from 0658 to 1731 h NZDT, and the cuckoos took 5–18 s to lay their egg. In 3 nests in which it could be determined, the cuckoo left the nest with an egg in its bill. Warblers were present at 2 nests during parasitism and responded by attacking the cuckoo. Cuckoos evicted nestlings by pulling them out through the nest entrance and throwing them on the ground. Head- wounds on evicted chicks suggest they were pecked. Nestling eviction by adult shining cuckoos has not been previously reported and it may be a strategy to increase nest availability by inducing hosts to relay.