Tomasz Wesołowski, Tomasz Mokwa
Ornis Polonica 2013, 54: 159–169
https://doi.org/10.12657/ornis.2013.3.0
Abstract: Data from 181 ringing records (1932–2009) and from 140 nest records (1970–2009) were analysed. The Cuckoo nestlings were ringed in nests of 17 species, most frequently in nests of Reed Warblers Acrocephalus scirpaceus and Great Reed Warblers A. arundinaceus (almost 55% of ringed young in total). Among regularly ringed species the most frequently parasitized ones were Reed Warbler (3.2%), White Wagtail Motacilla alba (2.0%) and Great Reed Warbler (1.4% of ringed broods). On the other hand no ringed young Cuckoos were reported from other hosts such as Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus, Whinchat Saxicola rubetra, Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita, Wood Warbler Ph. sibilatrix, Garden Warbler Sylvia borin, Lesser Whitethroat S. curruca, or Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina, despite intensive ringing of young in their broods was performed. Nest recording scheme data revealed a set of hosts largely consistent with the one indicated by the ringing data. Parasitized broods were most frequently found in nests of Reed Warbler (c. 15%), the other frequent Cuckoo hosts were Marsh Warbler A. palustris, Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio and White Wagtail. Altogether, Cuckoos were found in 26 hosts in Poland. Cuckoos commenced egg-laying in the first days of May and continued till the beginning of August. The laying period spanned over three months, but 50% of eggs were laid in just the first three weeks of June, June 10 on average. Distribution of egg-laying dates varied slightly across consecutive time periods, but no long term trend in the timing of breeding was detectable.
Keywords: Acrocephalus arundinaceus, Acrocephalus scirpaceus, Cuculus canorus, host of breeding parasite, Lanius collurio, nest success
