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Experimental Evidence That Blood Parasite Infection Affects Incubation Patterns in a Cavity-Nesting Songbird.

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Wild female birds infected with hemoparasites showed altered incubation behavior. Treating infections with primaquine improved incubation sessions, demonstrating parasites impact parental care in wild birds.

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Area of Science:

  • Avian ecology
  • Parasitology
  • Behavioral ecology

Background:

  • Avian chronic hemoparasite infections are prevalent in wild bird populations.
  • These infections negatively impact host fitness and breeding success.
  • The effect of hemoparasites on incubation behavior remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To experimentally investigate the impact of hemoparasite infection on incubation behavior in wild pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca).
  • To assess if reducing hemoparasite load through medication affects incubation patterns.

Main Methods:

  • Wild-breeding female pied flycatchers were treated with primaquine to reduce hemoparasite infections.
  • Incubation behavior of medicated females was compared to non-medicated control females.
  • Incubation session length, recess duration, and interruption frequency were monitored.

Main Results:

  • Medicated females exhibited significantly reduced parasite loads compared to controls.
  • Medicated females engaged in longer incubation sessions than control females.
  • Both groups reduced incubation time as nesting progressed, with controls showing a greater decline; recess session length and clutch size effects were also noted.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first evidence of altered incubation patterns in wild birds due to hemoparasite infections.
  • Reducing parasite load can positively influence parental incubation behavior.
  • Hemoparasites detrimentally affect bird reproductive success, including incubation behavior.