Group Territoriality as a form of Cooperative Breeding in the Flightless Kagu (Rhynochetos jubatus) of New Caledonia

[摘要] Birds that live in family groups and cooperatively defend the family's territory are currently recognized as cooperative breeders only if helpers assist with chick rearing. We observed breeding Kagus (Rhynochetos jubatus) and video-monitored nests to determine whether help with feeding or family size affected their reproductive success. During >5,500 h of nest monitoring, helpers never provided parents or chicks with food. The reproductive success of families increased with group size nonetheless. Family size affected breeding success more than habitat-related parameters. Nonbreeding Kagus reacted to playback calls as often as breeding birds did. Observations of territorial fights gave additional evidence that nonbreeding group members help defend the family's territory and can, therefore, improve reproductive success. Our results suggest that cooperative territory-defense was the most important factor that increased the breeding success of Kagus. We propose that group territoriality should be considered a form of cooperative breeding.

[学科分类] 动物科学

[关键词] communal breeding;group territoriality;Kagu;Rhynochetos jubatus;territorial behavior;territory-defense