First record of parasitism of Scarlet-headed Blackbird (Amblyramphus holosericeus) by the specialized Screaming Cowbird (Molothrus rufoaxillaris)

Myriam E. Mermoz; Daniela M. Depalma; Emilio M. Charnelli; Cecilia  Zilli

doi:10.56178/eh.v36i1.434

Short Communications Published 01 August 2021 https://doi.org/10.56178/eh.v36i1.434

First record of parasitism of Scarlet-headed Blackbird (Amblyramphus holosericeus) by the specialized Screaming Cowbird (Molothrus rufoaxillaris)

Amblyramphus holosericeus brood parasitism cooperative breeding Molothrus rufoaxillaris Quiscalines

Myriam E. Mermoz 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

Abstract

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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References

Baldi G y Paruelo JM (2008) Land-use and land cover dynamics in South American temperate grasslands. Ecology and Society 13:6.
Barros R (2015) El Mirlo de Pico Corto Molothrus rufoaxillaris, una nueva especie para Chile. La Chiricoca 19:36-44.
Cruz A, Manolis TD y Wiley JW (1985) The Shiny Cowbird: a brood parasite expanding its range in the Caribbean region. Ornithological Monographs 36:607-620.
De Mársico MC y Reboreda JC (2008) Differential reproductive success favours strong host preference in a highly specialized brood parasite. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 275:2499-2506.
De Mársico MC, Mahler B, Chomnalez M, Di Giacomo AG y Reboreda JC (2010) Host use by generalist and specialist brood-parasitic cowbirds at population and individual levels. En: Macedo R (ed.) Advances in the study of behavior, Vol. 42. Academic Press, Burlington, pp. 83-121.
Di Giacomo AG y Reboreda JC (2015) Reproductive success of the specialist brood parasite Screaming Cowbird in an alternative host, the Chopi Blackbird. Auk 132:16-24.
Di Giacomo AG, Mahler B y Reboreda JC (2010) Screaming cowbird parasitism of nests of solitary caciques and cattle tyrants. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 122:795-799.
Ellison K, Sealy SG y Gibbs HL (2006) Genetic elucidation of host use by individual sympatric bronzed cowbirds (Molothrus aeneus) and brown-headed cowbirds (M. ater). Canadian Journal of Zoology 84:1269-1280.
Fernández GJ y Mermoz ME (2000) Effect of predation and cowbird parasitism on the nesting success of two sympatric Neotropical marshbirds. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 112:354-364.
Fernández GJ, Mermoz ME, Llambías PE y Pujol EM (2007) Life history traits and breeding success of the Scarlet-headed Blackbird (Amblyramphus holosericeus) in the Argentinean pampas. Ornitología Neotropical 18:407-419.
Fraga RM (1978) The Rufous-collared Sparrow as a host of the Shiny Cowbird. Wilson Bulletin 90:271-284.
Fraga RM (1979) Differences between nestlings and fledglings of Screaming and Bay-winged Cowbirds. Wilson Bulletin 91:151-154.
Fraga RM (1986) The Bay-winged Cowbird (Molothrus badius) and its brood parasites: interactions, coevolution and comparative efficiency. Tesis doctoral, University of California, Santa Barbara.
Fraga RM (1991) The social system of a communal breeder, the Bay‐winged Cowbird (Molothrus badius). Ethology 89:195-210.
Fraga RM (1996) Further evidence of parasitism of Chopi Blackbirds (Gnorimopsar chopi) by the specialized Screaming Cowbird (Molothrus rufoaxillaris). Condor 98:866-867.
Fraga RM (2008a) Notes on the nesting of Chopi Blackbirds (Gnorimopsar chopi) in Argentina and Paraguay, with data on cooperative breeding and brood parasitism by Screaming Cowbirds (Molothrus rufoaxillaris). Ornitología Neotropical 19:299-303.
Fraga RM (2008b) Phylogeny and behavioral evolution in the family Icteridae. Ornitología Neotropical 19:61-71.
Gibson E (1918) Further ornithological notes from the neighbourhood of Cape San Antonio, province of Buenos Aires. Ibis 60:363-415.
Hudson WH (1874) Notes on the procreant instincts of the three species of Molothrus found in Buenos Aires. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 11:153-174.
Hudson WH (1920) Birds of La Plata. Dent and Sons Ltd, Toronto.
Jaramillo A y Burke P (1999) New World blackbirds: the Icterids. Princeton University Press, Princeton.
Johnson KP y Lanyon SM (1999) Molecular systematics of the grackles and allies, and the effect of additional sequence (cyt b and ND2). Auk 116:759-768.
Lara B y Gandini M (2014) Análisis de la fragmentación de pastizales en la Pampa Deprimida (Argentina). Semiárida 24:21-30.
Lowther PE (2011) Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis), version 1.0. En: Schulenberg TS (ed.) Neotropical Birds. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca.
Lowther PE (2018) Lists of victims and hosts of the parasitic cowbirds (Molothrus). (URL: http://www.fieldmuseum.org/sites/default/files/cowbird-hosts-05sep2018.pdf).
Mermoz ME y Fernández GJ (1999) Low frequency of Shiny Cowbird parasitism on Scarlet-headed Blackbirds: anti-parasite adaptations or nonspecific host life-history traits? Journal of Avian Biology 30:15-22.
Mermoz ME y Fernández GJ (2003) Breeding success of a specialist brood parasite, the Screaming Cowbird, parasitizing an alternative host. Condor 105:63-72.
Mermoz ME y Reboreda JC (1996) New host for a specialized brood parasite, the Screaming Cowbird. Condor 98:630-632.
Mermoz ME y Reboreda JC (1998) Nesting success in Brown-and-yellow Marshbirds: effects of timing, nest site and brood parasitism. Auk 115:871-878.
Orians GH (1980) Some adaptations of marsh-nesting blackbirds. Princeton University Press, Princeton.
Powell AF, Barker FK, Lanyon SM, Burns KJ, Klicka J y Lovette IJ (2014) A comprehensive species-level molecular phylogeny of the New World blackbirds (Icteridae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 71:94-112.
Soriano A, León RJC, Sala OE, Lavado RS, Deregibus VA, Cauhepé MA, Scaglia OA, Velázquez CA y Lemcoff JH (1992) Río de la Plata grasslands. En: Coupland RT (ed.) Ecosystems of the world: natural grasslands. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 367-407.
Vervoorst F (1967) Las comunidades vegetales de la depresión del Salado. Serie fitogeográfica 7, SEAGN-INTA, Buenos Aires.

How to cite

Myriam E. Mermoz, Daniela M. Depalma, Emilio M. Charnelli, Cecilia Zilli (2021). First record of parasitism of Scarlet-headed Blackbird (Amblyramphus holosericeus) by the specialized Screaming Cowbird (Molothrus rufoaxillaris). El Hornero, Vol. 36 No. 1 (2021), 93-98. https://doi.org/10.56178/eh.v36i1.434

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[1] Baldi G y Paruelo JM (2008) Land-use and land cover dynamics in South American temperate grasslands. Ecology and Society 13:6.

[2] Barros R (2015) El Mirlo de Pico Corto Molothrus rufoaxillaris, una nueva especie para Chile. La Chiricoca 19:36-44.

[3] Cruz A, Manolis TD y Wiley JW (1985) The Shiny Cowbird: a brood parasite expanding its range in the Caribbean region. Ornithological Monographs 36:607-620.

[4] De Mársico MC y Reboreda JC (2008) Differential reproductive success favours strong host preference in a highly specialized brood parasite. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 275:2499-2506.

[5] De Mársico MC, Mahler B, Chomnalez M, Di Giacomo AG y Reboreda JC (2010) Host use by generalist and specialist brood-parasitic cowbirds at population and individual levels. En: Macedo R (ed.) Advances in the study of behavior, Vol. 42. Academic Press, Burlington, pp. 83-121.

[6] Di Giacomo AG y Reboreda JC (2015) Reproductive success of the specialist brood parasite Screaming Cowbird in an alternative host, the Chopi Blackbird. Auk 132:16-24.

[7] Di Giacomo AG, Mahler B y Reboreda JC (2010) Screaming cowbird parasitism of nests of solitary caciques and cattle tyrants. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 122:795-799.

[8] Ellison K, Sealy SG y Gibbs HL (2006) Genetic elucidation of host use by individual sympatric bronzed cowbirds (Molothrus aeneus) and brown-headed cowbirds (M. ater). Canadian Journal of Zoology 84:1269-1280.

[9] Fernández GJ y Mermoz ME (2000) Effect of predation and cowbird parasitism on the nesting success of two sympatric Neotropical marshbirds. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 112:354-364.

[10] Fernández GJ, Mermoz ME, Llambías PE y Pujol EM (2007) Life history traits and breeding success of the Scarlet-headed Blackbird (Amblyramphus holosericeus) in the Argentinean pampas. Ornitología Neotropical 18:407-419.

[11] Fraga RM (1978) The Rufous-collared Sparrow as a host of the Shiny Cowbird. Wilson Bulletin 90:271-284.

[12] Fraga RM (1979) Differences between nestlings and fledglings of Screaming and Bay-winged Cowbirds. Wilson Bulletin 91:151-154.

[13] Fraga RM (1986) The Bay-winged Cowbird (Molothrus badius) and its brood parasites: interactions, coevolution and comparative efficiency. Tesis doctoral, University of California, Santa Barbara.

[14] Fraga RM (1991) The social system of a communal breeder, the Bay‐winged Cowbird (Molothrus badius). Ethology 89:195-210.

[15] Fraga RM (1996) Further evidence of parasitism of Chopi Blackbirds (Gnorimopsar chopi) by the specialized Screaming Cowbird (Molothrus rufoaxillaris). Condor 98:866-867.

[16] Fraga RM (2008a) Notes on the nesting of Chopi Blackbirds (Gnorimopsar chopi) in Argentina and Paraguay, with data on cooperative breeding and brood parasitism by Screaming Cowbirds (Molothrus rufoaxillaris). Ornitología Neotropical 19:299-303.

[17] Fraga RM (2008b) Phylogeny and behavioral evolution in the family Icteridae. Ornitología Neotropical 19:61-71.

[18] Gibson E (1918) Further ornithological notes from the neighbourhood of Cape San Antonio, province of Buenos Aires. Ibis 60:363-415.

[19] Hudson WH (1874) Notes on the procreant instincts of the three species of Molothrus found in Buenos Aires. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 11:153-174.

[20] Hudson WH (1920) Birds of La Plata. Dent and Sons Ltd, Toronto.

[21] Jaramillo A y Burke P (1999) New World blackbirds: the Icterids. Princeton University Press, Princeton.

[22] Johnson KP y Lanyon SM (1999) Molecular systematics of the grackles and allies, and the effect of additional sequence (cyt b and ND2). Auk 116:759-768.

[23] Lara B y Gandini M (2014) Análisis de la fragmentación de pastizales en la Pampa Deprimida (Argentina). Semiárida 24:21-30.

[24] Lowther PE (2011) Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis), version 1.0. En: Schulenberg TS (ed.) Neotropical Birds. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca.

[25] Lowther PE (2018) Lists of victims and hosts of the parasitic cowbirds (Molothrus). (URL: http://www.fieldmuseum.org/sites/default/files/cowbird-hosts-05sep2018.pdf).

[26] Mermoz ME y Fernández GJ (1999) Low frequency of Shiny Cowbird parasitism on Scarlet-headed Blackbirds: anti-parasite adaptations or nonspecific host life-history traits? Journal of Avian Biology 30:15-22.

[27] Mermoz ME y Fernández GJ (2003) Breeding success of a specialist brood parasite, the Screaming Cowbird, parasitizing an alternative host. Condor 105:63-72.

[28] Mermoz ME y Reboreda JC (1996) New host for a specialized brood parasite, the Screaming Cowbird. Condor 98:630-632.

[29] Mermoz ME y Reboreda JC (1998) Nesting success in Brown-and-yellow Marshbirds: effects of timing, nest site and brood parasitism. Auk 115:871-878.

[30] Orians GH (1980) Some adaptations of marsh-nesting blackbirds. Princeton University Press, Princeton.

[31] Powell AF, Barker FK, Lanyon SM, Burns KJ, Klicka J y Lovette IJ (2014) A comprehensive species-level molecular phylogeny of the New World blackbirds (Icteridae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 71:94-112.

[32] Soriano A, León RJC, Sala OE, Lavado RS, Deregibus VA, Cauhepé MA, Scaglia OA, Velázquez CA y Lemcoff JH (1992) Río de la Plata grasslands. En: Coupland RT (ed.) Ecosystems of the world: natural grasslands. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 367-407.

[33] Vervoorst F (1967) Las comunidades vegetales de la depresión del Salado. Serie fitogeográfica 7, SEAGN-INTA, Buenos Aires.