brood parasite: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowScientific/Tecnical
Quick answer
What does “brood parasite” mean?
An organism (typically a bird or insect) that tricks another species into raising its young.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An organism (typically a bird or insect) that tricks another species into raising its young.
A general term for behaviour where one organism manipulates another into providing parental care, investment, or resources for its offspring.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No lexical or semantic differences. The term is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Purely technical and neutral; carries no additional cultural or evaluative meaning.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, appearing almost exclusively in ornithological, entomological, or evolutionary biology contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “brood parasite” in a Sentence
[Species X] is a brood parasite on/of [Species Y].[Species X] parasitises the brood of [Species Y].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brood parasite” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The common cuckoo famously brood-parasitises the nests of reed warblers.
American English
- The brown-headed cowbird brood-parasitizes over 200 different host species.
adverb
British English
- The species reproduces brood-parasitically.
American English
- The female acts brood-parasitically, laying eggs in other nests.
adjective
British English
- Brood-parasitic behaviour is a fascinating evolutionary adaptation.
American English
- They studied the brood-parasitic relationship between the cowbird and its hosts.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; used metaphorically for firms that free-ride on others' R&D or infrastructure.
Academic
Standard in biology, particularly ecology, zoology, and evolutionary science.
Everyday
Extremely rare; only used by nature enthusiasts.
Technical
Primary context; a precise term in ethology and ornithology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “brood parasite”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “brood parasite”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brood parasite”
- Using 'brood' as a verb in this context (e.g., 'The bird broods parasites'). 'Brood' here is a noun.
- Confusing 'brood parasite' with 'parasitoid' (which kills its host).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while birds like cuckoos and cowbirds are classic examples, the term also applies to some fish and insects (e.g., certain bees and beetles) that trick others into raising their young.
A regular parasite (e.g., a tapeworm) lives on or in a host for nourishment. A brood parasite specifically tricks another into providing parental care for its offspring.
Yes, but only metaphorically and informally, to describe a person who avoids the responsibilities of raising their own children by manipulating others into doing it.
It is the behavioural strategy or practice of being a brood parasite. The '-ism' suffix denotes the practice or phenomenon itself.
An organism (typically a bird or insect) that tricks another species into raising its young.
Brood parasite is usually scientific/tecnical in register.
Brood parasite: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbruːd ˈpærəsaɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbruːd ˈpɛrəˌsaɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's like a human brood parasite, letting everyone else raise his kids.”
- “That company is a corporate brood parasite, exploiting smaller startups for their innovations.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
BROOD (a family of young birds) + PARASITE (lives off others). Picture a cuckoo sneaking its egg into a smaller bird's nest, parasitising the other bird's brood.
Conceptual Metaphor
PARENTING IS A RESOURCE / PARENTING IS LABOUR. The brood parasite metaphorically frames offspring care as a commodity to be stolen.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a classic example of a brood parasite?