Brood helper
Breeder helper (English. Cooperative breeder ) is above all an ornithological technical term. But it is also used in other sub-areas of zoology , especially entomology . In addition to all statebuilding insects, many bird species have developed various nesting systems. Around 400–500 species of birds show this behavior at least occasionally.
Brood support takes place most often among direct relatives, whereby mostly young animals from a previous brood or siblings of the parents support their brood care . However, it is also occasionally observed in unrelated representatives of the same species . Males or females that are not mated and not related to the breeding pair help with the rearing of young. Occasionally, brood aid is even reported in related but not identical species. Such behavior is certain in the red kite ( Milvus milvus ) and black kite ( Milvus migrans ), in which, however, mixed breeds have also been observed.
Brood aid is a brood biological behavior of many bird species. In bee-eaters , parrots and hunter Liesten it is often found also in some woodpecker species such as the red-cockaded woodpecker or the acorn woodpecker is observed. What is noticeable is the particularly frequent occurrence of incubation support systems in areas which, due to climatic conditions, do not allow seasonally regular breeding, conditions that exist in central Australia or other arid or semi-arid areas. In such areas, only individuals of those species can survive in the long term that can bring up several broods or a high number of young in a short time if the weather conditions are favorable for this. Breeding aid can support this.
See also
literature
- E. Bezzel / R. Prinzinger: Ornithology. Ulm-Stuttgart. 2nd edition 1990. ISBN 3-8001-2597-8
- Ronald L. Mumme et al. : Individual Contributions to Cooperative Nest Care in the Acorn Woodpecker. In: The Condor 92 (1990) pp. 360-368