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1 July 2004 Brown-headed Cowbird parasitism of the Black-throated Sparrow in central Arizona
Matthew J. Johnson, Charles van Riper
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Abstract

From 1994–1996 we investigated effects of Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) parasitism on Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) nesting success in the Verde Valley of central Arizona. Of 56 Black-throated Sparrow nests, 52% were parasitized. Black-throated Sparrows appear to respond to natural parasitism by accepting the cowbird egg, deserting the nest, or burying the cowbird egg. Removal and damage of host eggs by female cowbirds effectively reduced clutch size from an average of 3.4 to 1.9 eggs. Because of this reduced clutch size, Black-throated Sparrow reproductive success was significantly lower in parasitized nests (0.2 young fledged/ nest) as compared to nonparasitized nests (1.6 young fledged/nest). When comparing cowbird parasitism between two habitat types, we found significantly higher parasitism frequencies in crucifixion-thorn (Canotia holacantha) versus creosote-bush (Larrea divaricata) habitat. We argue that this difference in parasitism is due to the greater number of tall perches (e.g., shrubs >4 m) available in crucifixion-thorn habitat, providing vantage points for female cowbirds to better find Black-throated Sparrow nests.

Matthew J. Johnson and Charles van Riper "Brown-headed Cowbird parasitism of the Black-throated Sparrow in central Arizona," Journal of Field Ornithology 75(3), 303-311, (1 July 2004). https://doi.org/10.1648/0273-8570-75.3.303
Received: 18 August 2003; Accepted: 1 January 2004; Published: 1 July 2004
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KEYWORDS
Arizona
Black-throated Sparrow
brown-headed cowbird
cowbird nest searching
nest parasitism
reproductive success
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