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.
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1 April 2009
Group Territoriality as a form of Cooperative Breeding in the Flightless Kagu (Rhynochetos jubatus) of New Caledonia
Jörn Theuerkauf,
Sophie Rouys,
Jean Marc Mériot,
Roman Gula
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The Auk
Vol. 126 • No. 2
April 2009
Vol. 126 • No. 2
April 2009
communal breeding
group territoriality
Kagu
Rhynochetos jubatus
territorial behavior
territory-defense