Nesting of Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus (Thraupidae) with the first report of brood parasitism by Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis (Icteridae)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18272/reo.v9i2.2584Keywords:
Reproductive biology, host, eggs, brood parasitism, PhilornisAbstract
The Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus is common in open areas, second-growth vegetation, and borders from southern Mexico to southern Brazil. Although there is published information on its breeding biology, knowledge is still scarce. Here I describe two nesting events in northwestern Ecuador and present the first record of brood parasitism by Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis on S. maximus. I studied two nests in March–May 2020 and collected data on nest composition, dimensions, and daily eggs’ and nestlings’ weight. The nests were bulky cups, and the clutch consisted of two light blue eggs with black lines and scrawls on the larger pole. The incubation period was 14 days. The average rate of weight loss in the egg was 0.04 ± 0.01 g/day and the daily weight gain of the chicks was 1.87 g/day. In contrast, M. bonariensis chicks gained weight more rapidly (1.99 g/day). One nest was probably predated; chicks in the other nest died after being infested by Philornis sp. (Muscidae). I believe it is important to document nesting events in detail, which allows estimating the impact of brood parasitism and ectoparasites on reproductive success.
Downloads
References
Azpiroz, A.B. (2015). Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) parasitism records for three globally threatened species from the South American Pampas. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 127(4), 746–752. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1676/15-007
Cadena-Ortiz, H., & Buitrón-Jurado, G. (2015). Notes on breeding birds from the Villano River, Pastaza, Ecuador. Cotinga, 37, 38–42. URL: https://www.neotropicalbirdclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/C37-Cadena-Ortiz-Buitr%C3%B3n-Jurado.pdf
Drent, R. (1970). Functional aspects of incubation in the Herring Gull. Behaviour Supplement, 17, 1–132. URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/30039168
Dudaniec, R.Y., & Kleindorfer, S. (2006). Effects of the parasitic flies of the genus Philornis (Diptera: Muscidae) on birds. Emu, Austral Ornithology, 106(1), 13–20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/MU04040
Dudaniec, R.Y., Fessl, B., & Kleindorfer, S. (2007). Interannual and interspecific variation in intensity of the parasitic fly, Philornis downsi, in Darwin’s finches. Biological Conservation, 139(3–4), 325–332. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2007.07.006
Fierro‐Calderón, K., Loaiza‐Muñoz, M., Sánchez‐Martínez, M.A., Ocampo, D., David, S., Greeney, H.F., & Londoño, G.A. (2021). Methods for collecting data about the breeding biology of Neotropical birds. Journal of Field Ornithology, 92(4), 315–341. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jofo.12383
Fiorini, V.D., De Mársico, M.C., Ursino, C.A., & Reboreda, J.C. (2019). Obligate brood parasitism on Neotropical birds. In J.C. Reboreda, V.D. Fiorini, & D.T. Tuero (Eds), Behavioral ecology of neotropical birds (pp. 103–131). Cham, Switzerland: Springer.
Fiorini, V.D., Tuero, D.T., & Reboreda, J.C. (2009). Shiny cowbirds synchronize parasitism with host laying and puncture host eggs according to host characteristics. Animal Behaviour, 77(3), 561–568. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2008.11.025
Fraga, R.M. (2011). Giant Cowbird (Molothrus oryzivorus) parasitism of Red-rumped Caciques (Cacicus haemorrhous) in the Atlantic Forest, northeastern Argentina. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 123(2), 277–282. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1676/10-103.1
Freile, J., & Restall, R. (2018). Birds of Ecuador. London, UK: Helm Field Guides.
Gloag, R., Tuero, D.T., Fiorini, V.D., Reboreda, J.C., & Kacelnik, A. (2012). The economics of nestmate killing in avian brood parasites: A provisions trade-off. Behavioral Ecology, 23(1), 132–140. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/arr166
Greeney, H.F. (2006). Incubation behavior of the Peruvian Antpitta (Grallaricula peruviana). Ornitologia Neotropical, 17(4), 461–466. URL: https://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/on/v017n03/p0461-p0466.pdf
Greeney, H.F., Angulo P., F., Dobbs, R.C., Crespo, S., Miller, E.T., Cáceres, D., Gelis, R.A., Angulo, B., & Salagaje M., L.A. (2020). Notes on the breeding biology of the Tumbesian avifauna in southwest Ecuador and northwest Peru. Revista Ecuatoriana de Ornitología, 6, 1–54. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18272/reo.vi6.1146
Hallinan, T. (1924). Notes on some Panama Canal Zone birds with special reference to their food. Auk, 41(2), 304–326. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/4074624
Hanley, D., López, A.V., Fiorini, V.D., Reboreda, J.C., Grim, T., & Hauber, M.E. (2019). Variation in multicomponent recognition cues alters egg rejection decisions: A test of the optimal acceptance threshold hypothesis. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 374(1769), 20180195. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2018.0195
Hauber, M.E. (2003). Hatching asynchrony, nestling competition, and the cost of interspecific brood parasitism. Behavioral Ecology, 14(2), 2272–35. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/14.2.227
Haverschmidt, F. (1968). Birds of Surinam. London, UK: Oliver and Boyd.
Lindell, C., & Smith, M. (2003). Nesting bird species in sun coffee, pasture, and understory forest in southern Costa Rica. Biodiversity and Conservation, 12(3), 423–440. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022473823947
Lowther, P.E. (2021). Lists of victims and hosts of the parasitic cowbirds (Molothrus), version: 15 Feb 2021. Chicago: Field Museum. URL: https://www.fieldmuseum.org/sites/default/files/host-list-molothrus-ver-15feb2021.pdf
Lowther, P.E., & Post, W. (2020). Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis), version 1.0. In S.M. Billerman (Ed), Birds of the World. Ithaca, NY: Cornell Lab of Ornithology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.shicow.01
Manzoli, D.E., Antoniazzi, L.R., Saravia, M.J., Silvestri, L., Rorhmann, D., & Beldomenico, P.M. (2013). Multi-level determinants of parasitic fly infection in forest passerines. PLoS ONE, 8(7), e67104. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0067104
Martin, T.E., & Geupel, G.R. (1993). Nest-monitoring plots: Methods for locating nests and monitoring success. Journal of Field Ornithology, 64(4), 507–519.
URL: https://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/jfo/v064n04/p0507-p0519.pdf
McAfee, A., & Burns, K.J. (2020). Buff-throated Saltator (Saltator maximus), version 1.0. In T.S. Schulenberg (Ed), Birds of the World. Ithaca, NY: Cornell Lab of Ornithology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.butsal1.01
Mermoz, M.E., & Reboreda, J.C. (2003). Reproductive success of Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) parasitizing the larger Brown-and-yellow Marshbird (Pseudoleistes virescens) in Argentina. Auk, 120(4), 1128–1139. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/auk/120.4.1128
Ocampo, D., Estrada-F, M.C., Muñoz, J.M., Londoño, L.V., David, S., Valencia, G., Morales, P.A., Garizábal, J.A., & Cuervo, A.M. (2012). Breeding biology of the Red-bellied Grackle (Hypopyrrhus pyrohypogaster): A cooperative breeder of the Colombian Andes. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 124(3), 538–546. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1676/11-117.1
Oppel, S., Schaefer, H.M., Schmidt, V., & Schröder, B. (2004). Cowbird parasitism of Pale-headed Brush-finch Atlapetes pallidiceps: Implications for conservation and management. Bird Conservation International, 14(2), 63–75. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959270904000103
Ortega, C. (1998). Cowbirds and other brood parasites. Tucson, Estados Unidos: The University of Arizona Press.
Ortiz, C. (2013). Primera descripción del nido del Saltátor Collarejo (Saltator cinctus) y notas sobre su comportamiento reproductivo. Ornitología Neotropical, 24(4), 413–420. URL: https://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/ON%2024%284%29%20413-420.pdf
Penard, F.P., & Penard, A.P. (1910). De Vogels van Guyana (Suriname, Cayenne en Demerara), vol. 2. Amsterdam, Países Bajos: N. J. Boon.
Rahn, H., & Ar, A. (1974). The avian egg: incubation time and water loss. The Condor, 76(2), 147–152. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1366724
Ramo, C., & Busto, B. (1984). Nidificación de los Passeriformes en los Llanos de Apure (Venezuela). Biotropica, 16(1) 59–68. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2387896
Ridgely, R.S., & Tudor, G. (2009). Field guide to the songbirds of South America: The passerines. Austin, Estados Unidos: University of Texas Press.
Sealy, S.G., Sánchez-Pérez, J.E., Campos-Ramírez, R.G., & Marín-A, M. (1997). Bronzed Cowbird hosts: New records, trends in host use, and cost of parasitism. Ornitología Neotropical, 8(2), 175–184. URL: https://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/on/v008n02/p0175-p0184.pdf
Skutch, A.F. (1954). Life histories of Central American birds: Families Fringillidae, Thraupidae, Icteridae, Parulidae and Coerebidae. Berkeley, Estados Unidos: Cooper Ornithological Society.
Skutch, A.F. (1985). Clutch size, nesting success, and predation on nests of Neotropical birds, reviewed. Ornithological Monographs, 36, 575–594. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/40168306
Ursino, C.A., De Mársico, M.C., & Reboreda, J.C. (2019). Brood parasitic nestlings benefit from unusual host defenses against botfly larvae (Philornis spp.). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 73(11), 146. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-019-2751-3
Vallely, A.C., & Dyer, D. (2018). Birds of Central America. Princeton, Estados Unidos: Princeton University Press.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2023 William Andrés Arteaga-Chávez
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Los autores que publiquen en la Revista Ecuatoriana de Ornitología aceptan los siguientes términos:
- Los autores/as conservarán sus derechos de autor y garantizarán a la revista el derecho de primera publicación de su obra, el cuál estará simultáneamente sujeto a la Licencia de Reconocimiento No Comercial de Creative Commons.
- Los autores/as podrán adoptar otros acuerdos de licencia no exclusiva de distribución de la versión de la obra publicada, pudiendo de esa forma publicarla en un volumen monográfico o reproducirla de otras formas, siempre que se indique la publicación inicial en esta revista.
- Se permite y se recomienda a los autores difundir su obra a través de Internet en su repositorio institucional, página web personal, o red social científica (como ResearchGate o Academia.edu).
