Brood Parasitism on White-bellied Redstart by Common Cuckoo
Fifteen nests of White-bellied Redstart (Hodgsonius phaenicuroides) been parasitized by Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) were found during the breeding season from 2009 to 2012 at Lianhuashan Nature Reserve,Gansu province,with a parasitism rate of 16.48％.To the human eye,12 out of 13 eggs of Common Cuckoo were slightly blue in color and were different from the dark bluish green eggs of White-bellied Redstart,except one matched very well.The mean weight of Common Cuckoo eggs was 3.76 ± 0.16 g,with an average long axis of 22.19 ±0.52 mm and an average short axis of 17.62 ±0.47 mm (n =10),respectively.There were significant differences in weight of eggs (t =11.208,df =38,P ＜ 0.001) and short axis of eggs (t =0.970,df =38,P ＜ 0.001) between Common Cuckoo and White-bellied Redstart.Our research showed White-bellied Redstart can recognize eggs of Common Cuckoo,7 nests were confirmed deserted after being parasitized and 4 nests accepted while the remaining 4 were unknown.
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NSTL
万方数据
维普
