First record of parasitism of Scarlet-headed Blackbird (<i>Amblyramphus holosericeus</i>) by the specialized Screaming Cowbird (<i>Molothrus rufoaxillaris</i>)
Instituto de Ecología, Genética, y Evolución (IEGEBA-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Pabellón II Ciudad Universitaria, 1428 Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Daniela M. Depalma
Instituto de Ecología, Genética, y Evolución (IEGEBA-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Pabellón II Ciudad Universitaria, 1428 Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina | Departamento de Ecología, Genética, y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Pabellón II Ciudad Universitaria, 1428 Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Emilio M. Charnelli
Sarmiento 1176, 7163 General Madariaga, Argentina
Cecilia Zilli
Instituto de Ecología, Genética, y Evolución (IEGEBA-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Pabellón II Ciudad Universitaria, 1428 Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Mermoz, Myriam E., Daniela M. Depalma, Emilio M. Charnelli, and Cecilia Zilli. 2021. “First Record of Parasitism of Scarlet-Headed Blackbird (Amblyramphus Holosericeus) by the Specialized Screaming Cowbird (Molothrus Rufoaxillaris)”. El Hornero 36 (1): 93-98. https://doi.org/10.56178/eh.v36i1.434.
Screaming Cowbird (Molothrus rufoaxillaris) is highly specialized parasitizing only three species, making records of new hosts very informative. During 2017 we studied nesting success on roadsides in Argentine Pampas. Fifty-seven nests (46%) belonged to the known host Brown-and-yellow Marshbirds (Pseudoleistes virescens). Four nests belonged to Scarlet-headed Blackbird (Amblyramphus holosericeus); one contained a Screaming Cowbird nestling that fledged with two of the hosts. We discuss similarities and differences among the Scarlet-headed Blackbird and old hosts. More studies are needed to confirm the regular parasitism of Scarlet-headed Blackbird by Screaming Cowbird, and to better understand their high specificity in host selection.
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