Are there any other birds that lay their eggs in other birds nests like the cuckoo?

Question

It's strange how the cuckoo evolved to lay its eggs in other birds nests and then the whole species followed suit, any information about this remarkable bird would be appreciated.

Answer 1

There was an excellent article in New Scientist magazine about these kinds of parasitic birds - they focused on the American Cowbird - a species unrelated to the cuckoo - which has been known to destroy eggs, kill chicks and attack adults of its host species if those birds choose to reject the cowbird's eggs - quite a gruesome yet fascinating bird.

In the sources I found a preview of the article, unfortunately it doesn't let you read the whole thing, sorry about that, but hopefully it's a start in researching this incredible behaviour.

Answer 2

many individuals of the cuckulidae kinfolk (cuckoos) are parasitic nesters, or maybe prepare infanticide, tossing the exsisting chicks out of the nest. some individuals such because of fact the guira cuckoo (Guira guira) at the instant are not properly documented as parasitic nesters. the guira practices group nesting instead. numerous women celebration and all lay their eggs interior an identical place, taking turns looking after the eggs, and then the chicks. besides the fact that, the ladies all prepare egg tossing, and infanticide, so approximately 50% of the excellent youthful perish. besides the fact that, there is not any info that the ladies selectively kill chicks and eggs which at the instant are not their very own. it form of feels random, and there is not any development (i.e.- length or development of the egg) that determines an egg's or a chick's relation to the female. so, to respond to your question, the cuckoo is the chicken you're in seek of for.

Answer 3

Cowbirds do too.

There are more species of brood parasites on this list:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Brood_parasites

Answer 4

Don't forget starlings. (Whoever had the brilliant idea to import all the birds mentioned in Shakespeare's works to North America to make it "better" here, really screwed up.)

Answer 5

Cowbirds and many species of ducks will do this as well.