Brood amalgamation and alloparental care in the Least Sandpiper, Calidris minutilla

Abstract

Least Sandpipers (Calidris minutila) were studied on the Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia, over five breeding seasons. Brood amalgamation and care of foreign chicks occur regularly, though at low incidence, among the approximately 90 breeding pairs there. Such behavior is probably important to chick survival and has little impact on adult fitness. Brood amalgamation and alloparental care appear to be widespread in calidridine sandpipers.