Publisher Summary This chapter outlines the evolution of geographic variation in birdsong.
Studies of vocal signals in birds offer potentially useful opportunities for empirical tests of the …

The interactions between brood parasitic birds and their host species provide one of the best
model systems for coevolution. Despite being intensively studied, the parasite–host system …

This fascinating study describes the natural histories of these brood parasites and examines
many of the exciting questions they raise about the evolution of cheating and the arms race …

Sperm morphology varies considerably across taxa, and postcopulatory sexual selection is
thought to be one of the main forces responsible for this diversity. Several studies have …

Many passerine host species have counteracted the parasite egg mimicry in their
coevolutionary arms race with the common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) by evolving increased …

Many studies have attempted to explain the evolution of cooperation, yet little attention has
been paid to what factors control the amount or kind of cooperation performed. Kin selection …

Advances in molecular genetic techniques have provided new approaches for addressing
evolutionary questions about brood parasitic birds. We review recent studies that apply …

Avian brood parasites are virulent, both as adults and as nestlings, because they reduce the
fecundity of their hosts. The extent of virulence varies widely, both within and between brood …

Abstract We tested Field Sparrows (Spizella pusilla), Vesper Sparrows (Pooecetes
gramineus), Lark Sparrows (Chondestes grammacus), Grasshopper Sparrows …

Brood-parasitic young are reared in the nests of different species and can derive no genetic
benefit from the survival of host offspring. However, although the nestlings of many parasitic …