Cuckoo eyes are an important identification cue for the Oriental reed warbler host.

ABSTRACT: Successful recognition of parasites through effective identification cues can reduce the cost of anti-parasitic defenses by the host. Features on the front of the body such as the eyes may be important clues for the prey to perceive and recognize the parasite. In this study, we investigated whether the eyes of common cuckoos (Cuculus canorus), an obligate avian brood parasite, served as identification cues for its common host, the Oriental reed warbler (Acrocephalus orientalis). We displayed dummies of 3D printed common cuckoos and Oriental turtle doves (Streptopelia orientalis) with their eyes covered or not-covered near the nests of breeding Oriental reed warblers to test effect of the eyes on defense behaviors of the warblers towards these dummies. Oriental reed war

SUBMITTER: Yan H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11783116 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature