Cooperative breeding in birds

[KKLouiseKK]

I am currently writing an essay for university about cooperative breeding in birds. It's only a short 1500 word essay that i am having great fun writing actually.
Cooperative breeding is when more than 2 adults help rear the young at a single nest.
I was just wondering if any members on here had some interesting knowledge to add regarding this subject?

atb
louise

[Tacatanach]

What type of information are you looking for? Also are you just concentrating on raptors or all birds?

[KKLouiseKK]

Any information out of pure curiousity and inspiration. I am basing it on all birds with the sub topics of plus and negative points, genetic history of such a behavioural trait. I am also including a special bit on harris hawks if i have time and words left as it seems uncommon for raptors to cooperatively rear young.?

[HelenG]

Check out bee eaters, I wrote a big paper for university on cooperative breeding in bee eaters a couple years ago, really interesting stuff.

[Grey_Squirrel_Hawker]

dunnocks (or hedge sparrows) are well known for it. the female will often mate with more than one male so that she has several males providing food for her and her family, in a similar fasion to how HH do in the wild.

the bengalse finch is also quite well known for it. in america they are known as "society finches" because of their sociable natures, and if families are left together, youngsters will often assist raising the next brood of youngsters.

[Nemesis]

hi lou it is found in the common moorhen . the acorn woodpecker , apostle bird it is 5% or less of the total bird population that do it , hope this help,s /dave

[HaggisHawker]

Work by DS Richardson on the Seychelles warbler is a model system of cooperative breeding in birds.