Brood Parasitism and Nesting Strategies in Avian Species

Brood parasitism is a reproductive tactic in which an avian species exploits the parental care of another. Parasites may lay eggs in nests of their own species (conspecific brood parasitism) or of different species (interspecific brood parasitism). Host birds have evolved a range of defences, including egg recognition and rejection, nest desertion or increased nest vigilance. Conversely, parasites may evolve egg mimicry, rapid egg‐laying or chick‐mimicking behaviours to circumvent host defences. Nesting strategies more broadly encompass how birds select nest sites, synchronise laying, adjust clutch size and employ cooperative breeding or communal nesting to manage predation risk and environmental uncertainty.

Research in this field spans behavioural ecology, evolutionary biology and conservation. It reveals how ecological factors such as habitat structure, nest predation pressure and climate variability shape the evolution of parasitic and defensive strategies. Practical applications include informing the management of endangered host species vulnerable to parasitism and understanding the cascading effects of parasitic dynamics on community structure. Examples range from waterfowl interspecific parasitism by ducks and mergansers to passerine species exhibiting finely tuned egg‐rejection behaviours. Emphasis on phenotypic plasticity highlights how individuals adjust reproductive tactics in response to changing environmental conditions.

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Brood Parasitism and Nesting Strategies in Avian Species publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in brood parasitism and nesting strategies in avian species across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Brood parasitism: A reproductive strategy whereby a bird lays its eggs in the nest of another individual, offloading parental care.

Conspecific brood parasitism: Parasitic laying in nests of the same species, often leading to competition among kin.

Interspecific brood parasitism: Parasitic laying in nests of a different species, frequently involving coevolutionary arms races.

Clutch: The complete set of eggs laid by a bird during a single nesting attempt.

Alternative reproductive tactics: Flexible life-history strategies, such as parasitic laying or non-breeding, adopted in response to environmental or social conditions.

References

1. Wood ducks and hooded mergansers as interspecific brood parasites: An evaluation of parasitic egg survival. Ecology and Evolution (2024).
2. Nest predation and climate change as drivers of alternative reproductive tactics in a migratory species. Journal of Avian Biology (2024).
3. Wood duck nest survival and duckling recruitment is minimally affected by interspecific brood parasitism from hooded mergansers and black-bellied whistling-ducks. PLOS ONE (2024).