A Potential Case of Brood Parasitism by Eastern Bluebirds on House Sparrows

Authors

Jessica A. Fowler Neal, Arkansas State University - JonesboroFollow
Virginie Rolland, Arkansas State University - JonesboroFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

SOUTHEASTERN NATURALIST

Abstract

Sialia sialis (Eastern Bluebird) and Passer domesticus (House Sparrow) are common cavity-nesting birds that can compete with each other for nest sites in habitats where they overlap. Both species occasionally lay eggs in the nests of conspecifics, but evidence of interspecific brood parasitism (IBP) is lacking. Here we report the first detailed case of an Eastern Bluebird laying an egg in a House Sparrow nest and discuss potential explanations, including intentional IBP, IBP by default, and failed nest usurpation.

First Page

31

Last Page

34

DOI

10.1656/058.014.0201

Publication Date

2015

Recommended Citation

Neal, Jessica A. Fowler and Rolland, Virginie, "A Potential Case of Brood Parasitism by Eastern Bluebirds on House Sparrows" (2015). Faculty Publications. 17.
https://arch.astate.edu/scm-biofac/17