Speaker: Dr Tony Fulford

Cuckoos, as everyone knows, are brood parasites: they lay their eggs in other birds’ nests. They aren’t lazy; they put in a lot of effort into fooling their hosts. Why do they do it, how do they benefit and what do they need to do to maintain this odd lifestyle? Their hosts certainly don’t want to be parasitised. What then are the evolutionary consequences of the ensuing arms race between host and parasite? The Common (or European) Cuckoo is far from alone in this habit: brood parasitism is recorded in some 234 species of birds from across the phylogenetic tree. We shall take a look at some of these exotic species and their often-flamboyant hosts and explore other corners of the animal kingdom where brood parasitism occurs, i.e. almost everywhere where animals lay eggs and look after their young. Tony has a lifelong interest in birds and has recently agreed to become the BNSS Ornithology Chair.