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Factors influencing host nest use by the brood parasitic Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea)

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Abstract

Host nest use by the brood parasitic Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea) has not previously been studied in detail. Here, we investigated factors that may explain patterns of nest use among three commonly used host species of the Asian Koel in Bangladesh; Long-tailed Shrikes (Lanius schach), House Crows (Corvus splendens) and Common Mynas (Acridotheres tristis). In all three host species, the risk of parasitism increased significantly as the distances between host nests and potential parasite vantage points decreased, and furthermore, there was a significant positive correlation between nest volume and risk of parasitism. The nest height above ground was an important predictor of parasitism in Long-tailed Shrikes with increased parasitism risk in nests at lower heights. In addition, nests of Long-tailed Shrikes and House Crows close to active conspecific neighbors were less likely to be parasitized than nests further away. In Common Mynas and House Crows, the risk of parasitism increased during the breeding season with their first nests initiated before the Asian Koel started its egg laying. Clutches of all three host species were parasitized during the host egg laying period. Finally, in Common Mynas, the host clutch size was higher in parasitized than unparasitized nests. The results from the present study correspond well with findings from other brood parasite–host systems, and indicate that brood parasites in general use many similar cues when selecting host nests.

Zusammenfassung

Bislang wurde die Nutzung der Wirts-Nester durch den Brutparasiten Indischer Koel nie im Detail analysiert. Wir untersuchten deshalb Faktoren, die möglicherweise erklären können, nach welchen Kriterien der Brutparasit Asiatischer Koel die Nester von drei weitverbreiteten Wirtsarten in Bangladesch auswählt: vom Schachwürger (Lanius schach), der Glanzkrähe (Corvus splendens) und des Hirtenstar (oder auch Hirtenmaina; Acridotheres tristis). Bei allen drei Wirtsarten stieg das Risiko, parasitiert zu werden mit sinkendem Abstand zwischen ihren Nestern und potentiellen Beobachtungsplätzen der Brutparasiten signifikant an. Darüber hinaus gab es eine signifikante positive Korrelation zwischen der Größe eines Nestes und seinem Risiko, vom Brutparasiten benutzt zu werden. Bei der Hirtenmaina war die Höhe der Nester über Grund ein wichtiger Prädiktor für ihre Auswahl durch den Brutparasiten, bei zunehmendem Parasitier-Risiko je tiefer die Nester lagen. Ferner wurden die Nester von Schachwürgern und Glanzkrähen nahe Nestern von Artgenossen mit geringerer Wahrscheinlichkeit vom Parasiten ausgewählt als solche in größerer Entfernung. Bei Hirtenstar und Glanzkrähen wuchs das Parasitier-Risiko während der Brutzeit, wenn ihre Nester bezogen wurden, bevor der Asiatische Koel selbst mit der Eiablage begann. Die Nester aller drei Wirtsarten wurden in der Zeit ihrer Eiablage von dem Brutparasiten benutzt. Schließlich waren beim Hirtenstar die eigenen Gelege in parasitierten Nestern größer als in unparasitierten. Die Ergebnisse dieser Untersuchung stimmen gut mit entsprechenden Untersuchungen an anderen Brutparasit-Wirtssystemen überein und legen nahe, daß Brutparasiten bei der Auswahl ihrer Wirts-Nester viele ähnliche Auswahlkriterien anwenden.

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Acknowledgments

We are indebted to Sayad Mahmudur Rahman, Delip Kumar Das, Mominul Islam Nahid, Mohammad Yousuf, Mohammad Jahir and Monoronjon Barui for their help with data collection in the field. We are most grateful to all the members of the Brood Parasitism Research Group, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), to Thomas W.P. Friedl, Brian Peer and one anonymous referee for helpful comments on the manuscript. The study was supported by a Grant through a ‘Quota Scheme’ at NTNU and a research grant from The Norwegian Programme for Development, Research and Education (NUFU).

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  1. Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Realfagbygget, 7491, Trondheim, Norway

    Sajeda Begum, Arne Moksnes, Eivin Røskaft & Bård G. Stokke

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  1. Sajeda Begum
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  2. Arne Moksnes
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  3. Eivin Røskaft
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  4. Bård G. Stokke
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Correspondence to Sajeda Begum.

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Communicated by T. Friedl.

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Begum, S., Moksnes, A., Røskaft, E. et al. Factors influencing host nest use by the brood parasitic Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea). J Ornithol 152, 793–800 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-011-0652-y

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