The masked robber: Blue Dacnis steals nesting material from a Crested Becard nest in southeastern Brazil

Authors

  • Elsie L. Rotenberg Projeto Dacnis. Estrada do Rio Escuro, 4754, Sertão das Cotias, CEP 11680-000, Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil.
  • Lucas Botelho Projeto Dacnis. Estrada do Rio Escuro, 4754, Sertão das Cotias, CEP 11680-000, Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil.
  • Edelcio Muscat Projeto Dacnis. Estrada do Rio Escuro, 4754, Sertão das Cotias, CEP 11680-000, Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3162-5209

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17648/heringeriana.v17i1.918029

Keywords:

Nest building, Atlantic Forest, Parasitism, Piracy

Abstract

This study reports the first recorded case of nest material kleptoparasitism in the Thraupidae family, involving a Blue Dacnis (Dacnis cayana) and a Crested Becard (Pachyramphus Validus) nest. Kleptoparasitism is a behavior in which one individual steals food or resources from another, and nest material kleptoparasitism specifically refers to the theft of nesting material. The Blue Dacnis successfully stole nesting material from the Crested Becard's nest without being noticed. This behavior offers advantages such as reduced effort in finding material and decreased predation risk, but also carries risks such as defense by the nest owners and the possibility of carrying pathogens. This observation expands our understanding of kleptoparasitic behaviors in Neotropical passerines.

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Published

2023-10-17

How to Cite

Rotenberg, E. L., Botelho, L., & Muscat, E. (2023). The masked robber: Blue Dacnis steals nesting material from a Crested Becard nest in southeastern Brazil. Heringeriana, 17(1), e918029. https://doi.org/10.17648/heringeriana.v17i1.918029

Issue

Vol. 17 (2023): Heringeriana

Section

Correspondences

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Copyright (c) 2023 Elsie L. Rotenberg, Lucas Botelho, Edelcio Muscat

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