Kleptoparasitism by Grey Kingbirds (Tyrannus dominicensis) in Barbados

Sarah E. Overington*, Laure Cauchard, Kimberly-Ann Cote

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We observed Grey Kingbirds (Tyrannus dominicensis) from late February to May 2007 stealing food items from the bills of Carib Grackles, (Quiscalus lugubris). This behavior occurred at two baited walk-in bird traps on the grounds of Bellairs Research Institute of McGill University in St James. Barbados. Grey Kingbirds were not seen entering traps. but were regularly observed in tree branches near traps, often chasing Carib Grackles and Zenaida Doves (Zenaida aurita) as they exited the traps with food. We describe six instances of kleptoparasitism by Grey Kingbirds from Carib Grackles. To our knowledge. this is the first report of kleptoparasitism for this species.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)655-657
Number of pages3
JournalWilson journal of ornithology
Volume120
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2008

Bibliographical note

Acknowledgments
We thank the staff at Bellairs Research Institute for their support and encouragement. Comments from P. A. Buckley and an anonymous reviewer improved the manuscript greatly. We thank Julie Morand-Ferron, Louis Lefebvre, and Neeltje Boogert for helpful comments on a previous version of this work. This research was funded by NSERC through a graduate fellowship to SEO and a Discovery grant to Louis Lefebvre.

Keywords

  • GRAY KINGBIRD
  • OYSTERCATCHERS
  • BIRDS

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