Background: Our knowledge of avian brood parasitism is primarily based on studies of a few selected species.\nRecently, researchers have targeted a wider range of host-parasite systems, which has allowed further evaluation of\nhypotheses derived from well-known study systems but also disclosed adaptations that were previously unknown.\nHere we present developmental and behavioral data on the previously undescribed Plaintive Cuckoo (Cacomantis\nmerulinus) nestling and one of its hosts, the Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius).\nMethods: We discovered more than 80 Common Tailorbird nests within an area of 25 km2, and we recorded nestling\ncharacteristics, body mass, tarsus length and begging display every 3 days for both species.\nResults: Plaintive Cuckoo nestlings followed a developmental pathway that was relatively similar to that of their\nWell-studied relative, the Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus). Tailorbird foster siblings were evicted from the nest rim.\nThe cuckoo nestlings gained weight faster than host nestlings, and required 3-9 days longer time to fledge than host\nnestlings. Predation was high during the early stages of development, but the nestlings acquired a warning display\naround 11 days in the nest, after which none of the studied cuckoo nestlings were depredated. The cuckoosâ?? begging\ndisplay, which appeared more intense than that of host nestlings, was initially vocally similar with that of the host\nnestlings but began to diverge from the host sound output after day 9.\nConclusions: The developmental data on Plaintive Cuckoo nestlings and their tailorbird host builds an important\nfoundation for future work on the co-evolutionary interactions in this parasite-host system.
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