Prolonged interspecific care of two sibling golden-winged warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera) by a black-and-white warbler (Mniotilta varia)

Cameron J. Fiss, Darin J. Mcneil, Renae E. Poole, Karli M. Rogers, Jeffery L. Larkin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

We observed a fledgling abandonment and adoption event that subsequently led to an extended period of interspecific parental care between a male Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) and two radio-tagged fledgling Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) siblings. Both fledglings were initially accompanied by their maternal Golden-winged Warbler until 5 and 9 days after fledging. At this time, a male Black-and-white Warbler began feeding both fledglings, and maternal care ceased. In the 23 days we monitored the fledglings between onset of interspecific feeding and independence, the male Black-and-white Warbler was observed with at least one of the fledglings on 20 of those occasions. Furthermore, the Black-and-white Warbler was seen feeding at least one of the fledglings on 16 of those visits. We photographed several feeding events. The Black-and-white Warbler remained with the fledglings until they successfully reached independence 28 days post-fledging.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)921-926
Number of pages6
JournalWilson Journal of Ornithology
Volume128
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2016

Keywords

  • Mniotilta varia
  • Vermivora chrysoptera.
  • fledgling abandonment
  • fledgling adoption
  • interspecific feeding

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Ecology
  • Animal Science and Zoology

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