Evidence of nest material kleptoparasitism in Worm-eating Warblers (Helmitheros vermivorum) in east-central Arkansas, USA

Nest material kleptoparasitism likely evolved in birds to reduce the cost of searching for and collecting material themselves. Although nest material kleptoparasitism has been reported commonly in colonially nesting species, reports for solitary breeding species are infrequent, especially for neotropical migratory species. Here we report potential and actual nest material kleptoparasitism in the Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitheros vermivorum). We deployed video camera systems at passerine nests (n = 81) in east-central Arkansas during summers 2011–2012. In one video, we observed a Worm-eating Warbler stealing nesting material from a Hooded Warbler (Setophaga citrina) nest. One day later, we later observed a Worm-eating Warbler landing within 0.5 m of the same warbler nest when the female was incubating, which possibly deterred a second theft of nesting material. In a third video recording, we observed another Worm-eating Warbler landing within 1 m of an Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) ne...鸟巢材料偷窃寄生（nest material kleptoparasitism）大概率在鸟类中演化形成，旨在降低个体自身搜寻与收集筑巢材料的成本。尽管该行为在集群筑巢鸟类中已有广泛报道，但针对独居繁殖物种的相关记录却较为少见，尤以新热带迁徙鸟类为甚。本研究报道了虫食莺（Helmitheros vermivorum）存在潜在及实际的巢材偷窃寄生行为。2011至2012年夏季，我们在阿肯色州中东部地区的81个雀形目鸟巢（n=81）中布设了摄像监测系统。在一段录像中，我们观察到一只虫食莺从黑顶威森莺（Setophaga citrina）的巢中窃取筑巢材料。次日，我们观测到另一只虫食莺在该巢的雌鸟孵卵期间，降落至距巢0.5米范围内，此举或有效阻止了后续的巢材偷窃行为。在第三段录像中，我们观察到另一只虫食莺降落在靛蓝彩鹀（Passerina cyanea）的巢1米范围内……