Coevolutionary theory predicts that the most common long‐term outcome of the
relationships between brood parasites and their hosts should be coevolutionary cycles …

Avian hatching failure is a widespread phenomenon, affecting around 10% of all eggs that
are laid and not lost to predation, damage, or desertion. Our understanding of hatching …

Why are some common and apparently suitable resources avoided by potential users? This
interesting ecological and evolutionary conundrum is vividly illustrated by obligate brood …

Information on the breeding biology of birds is essential for improving avian life-history
theory and implementing sound management and conservation actions for these organisms …

Avian brood parasites exploit hosts that have accessible nests and a soft insect diet.
Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) hosts were traditionally classified as suitable if both …

Avian obligate brood parasites, which rely solely on hosts to raise their young, should
choose the highest quality hosts to maximize reproductive output. Brown-headed cowbirds …

The vocalizations of some young brood-parasitic birds closely resemble those of their host's
young. Such similarities might arise because hosts bestow the greatest parental care in …

Young birds communicate their need to parents through complex begging displays that
include visual and acoustic cues. Nestlings of interspecific brood parasites must 'tune'into …

Generalist brood parasites, like Common Cuckoos Cuculus canorus, target many host
species. Why other sympatric hosts are not used, or actively avoided, remains one of the …

We analyzed host use at population and individual levels in the host-generalist shiny
cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) and in the host-specialist screaming cowbird (M …