An Observation of Cooperative Breeding in the Ovenbird

摘要

During June and July, 1999, we ob- served two male Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapillus) car- ing for recently fledged Ovenbird chicks from the same nest in what we believe was the outcome of a poly- androus relationship. If so, the circumstances sur- rounding this observation are similar to the only other published account of polyandry in this species. We suggest that the reason for the adoption of this behav- iro may be related to a shortage of females. If this is the case, then polyandry may be more widespread in Ovenbirds than previously thought because we regu- Larly observed unmated male Ovenbirds on our study Plots, indicating that the conditions favoring polyandry (limited access to females) occur relatively frequently.