brood parasitism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Scientific / Technical
Quick answer
What does “brood parasitism” mean?
A reproductive strategy in which an animal, typically a bird, lays its eggs in the nest of another species, shifting the cost of incubation and raising the young to the host.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A reproductive strategy in which an animal, typically a bird, lays its eggs in the nest of another species, shifting the cost of incubation and raising the young to the host.
A broader biological term for any interaction where one organism relies on another to raise its offspring. It can also be used metaphorically to describe any situation where an individual or entity shifts a fundamental nurturing or rearing responsibility onto another.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or orthographic differences. Spelling of related words may follow regional conventions (e.g., 'behavioural' vs. 'behavioral').
Connotations
Solely a biological/zoological term in both dialects. No metaphorical use in everyday language.
Frequency
Equally rare outside biological contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “brood parasitism” in a Sentence
[species A] engages in brood parasitism on [species B]Brood parasitism by [species] is common in [region/ecosystem]The study examines the dynamics of brood parasitism.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brood parasitism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The common cuckoo is notorious for brood parasitising the nests of dunnocks and reed warblers.
- Several species of cowbird brood parasitise hosts across North and South America.
American English
- The brown-headed cowbird routinely brood parasitizes various songbird species.
- Researchers have documented which birds brood parasitize in this ecosystem.
adverb
British English
- (Rarely used. Potential:) The bird reproduces brood-parasitically.
American English
- (Rarely used. Potential:) The species acts brood-parasitically.
adjective
British English
- The brood-parasitic habits of the cuckoo are well-documented.
- A brood-parasitic bird needs specialised egg mimicry.
American English
- Brood-parasitic behavior presents an evolutionary arms race.
- Identifying brood-parasitic species is key to the study.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used. A potential metaphorical use could be: 'The startup relied on brood parasitism of the larger company's R&D infrastructure.'
Academic
Common in biological sciences, ecology, and evolutionary psychology papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
The primary domain of use. Appears in field guides, zoological research, and wildlife documentaries.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “brood parasitism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “brood parasitism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brood parasitism”
- Confusing it with other forms of parasitism like kleptoparasitism (stealing food).
- Using 'brood' as a verb in this phrase incorrectly (e.g., 'The bird broods parasitism').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while most famous in birds (like cuckoos and cowbirds), it also occurs in some fish, insects (e.g., some bees and ants), and potentially other animal groups.
Obligate brood parasites (e.g., the common cuckoo) must use this strategy for all reproduction. Facultative brood parasites (e.g., some ducks) may sometimes lay eggs in others' nests but can also raise their own young.
Defenses include: recognizing and ejecting foreign eggs, abandoning parasitized nests, aggressively mobbing parasitic birds, or learning to recognize the adult parasite.
Almost never in an evolutionary sense. It is a costly exploitation. Rare anecdotal cases exist where a parasitic chick might remove a host's competitor, but this is not a norm or driver of the relationship.
A reproductive strategy in which an animal, typically a bird, lays its eggs in the nest of another species, shifting the cost of incubation and raising the young to the host.
Brood parasitism is usually scientific / technical in register.
Brood parasitism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbruːd ˈpær.ɪ.sɪ.tɪ.zəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbruːd ˈper.ə.sɪ.tɪ.zəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(No established idioms in general English; it is itself a technical term.)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'brood' (a family of chicks) being raised by a 'parasite' (the bird that tricked the host).
Conceptual Metaphor
PARENTING IS A RESOURCE / EXPLOITATION IS PARASITISM.
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining characteristic of obligate brood parasitism?