Can-Chao Yang, Long-Wu Wang, Wei Liang, Anders Møller. 2019. High egg rejection rate in a Chinese population of grey-backed thrush (Turdus hortulorum). Zoological Research, 40(3): 226-230. DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2019.039
Citation: Can-Chao Yang, Long-Wu Wang, Wei Liang, Anders Møller. 2019. High egg rejection rate in a Chinese population of grey-backed thrush (Turdus hortulorum). Zoological Research, 40(3): 226-230. DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2019.039

High egg rejection rate in a Chinese population of grey-backed thrush (Turdus hortulorum)

  • everal previous studies have indicated that nest sanitation behavior is a general adaptation in altricial birds, with egg recognition capacity evolving as a specific response to interspecific brood parasitism (IBP). However, a recent study suggested an alternative hypothesis, concluding that conspecific brood parasitism (CBP) selects for egg rejection in thrushes, with IBP as a by-product. In the present study, we used a spectrophotometer to quantify egg coloration and egg mimicry and performed artificial parasitism experiments in the grey-backed thrush (Turdus hortulorum). We showed that individuals of this species rejected 100% of 12 foreign eggs, without IBP or CBP detected. In a review of previous studies, we also discuss possible explanations for the high egg rejection rate in the grey-backed thrush and suggest areas for future study.
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