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

I suggest that the cuckoo's parasitic adaptations are of two kinds:'trickery', which is how adult
cuckoos and cuckoo eggs and chicks evade host defences, and involves adaptations that …

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

Photo and video technology has become increasingly useful in the study of avian nesting
ecology. However, researchers interested in using camera systems are often faced with …

Generalist brood parasites that share nests with host nestlings can optimize resource
acquisition from host parents by balancing the benefits that host nest-mates provide …

Hatchlings of some virulent brood parasitic birds have evolved to eliminate host offspring.
We experimentally studied the dynamics and potential costs of the egg eviction behavior of …

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 …

Chicks of some avian brood parasites show high virulence by eliminating all host progeny in
the nest whereas others develop in the presence of host nestmates. Common cuckoo …

Highlights•The smallest nestling usually starves in asynchronously hatched broods.•This
can be due to nestling control, parental control or both.•Smaller nestlings received less food …

Background Chicks of virulent brood parasitic birds eliminate their nestmates and avoid
costly competition for foster parental care. Yet, efforts to evict nest contents by the blind and …