High in Hawai’i forests, researchers documented songbirds taking twigs and moss from one another’s nests. The study was led by Erin Wilson Rankin at UC Riverside. Over six months a trained team watched more than 200 canopy nests. Scientists call this behaviour kleptoparasitism, or nest theft.
Observers monitored several native species, including scarlet I’iwi, crimson Apapane and yellow-green Hawai’i Amakihi. The Apapane were the most frequent thieves and also common victims, likely because they are abundant in the forest.
Most thefts happened between nests at similar heights, and most targeted nests were already abandoned. About 10% of thefts involved active nests, and roughly 5% of observed nests failed after a theft.
Difficult words
- document — Record information or evidence about somethingdocumented
- monitor — Watch something carefully over a periodmonitored
- canopy — Top layer of branches and leaves
- kleptoparasitism — Stealing materials or food from another nest
- abundant — Existing in large numbers or plenty
- abandon — Leave a place or object and not returnabandoned
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why were Apapane likely both thieves and victims in the study?
- Have you ever seen birds take materials from nests? Describe briefly.
- What could people do to help protect bird nests in forests?
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