@article {9423,
	title = {Are parasite intensity and related costs of the milichiid fly Carnus hemapterus related to host sociality?},
	journal = {Journal of Ornithology},
	volume = {151},
	number = {4},
	year = {2010},
	month = {Oct},
	pages = {907-913},
	type = {Article},
	abstract = {Ectoparasites have often been shown to have detrimental effects on their host. Not much is known, however, about determinants of infestation, e.g. the question of which factors affect distribution and occurrence of parasites on different host species (degree of host specificity) and their infestation rates. In this study we examine possible effects of host determinants on parasite intensity of Carnus hemapterus (Carnidae), an ectoparasitic fly on nestling birds, in the European bee-eater (Merops apiaster), which is a common host of C. hemapterus. Our results show that European bee-eaters seem to be one of the most heavily infested host species of C. hemapterus. We found that brood size, nestling age, and colony size are the most important determinants of infestation by C. hemapterus. This parasite seems to prefer medium-sized bee-eater chicks and to select them according to their condition. Our results further suggest a negative effect of C. hemapterus on chick development.},
	keywords = {behaviour, Carnidae, Carnus hemapterus, Merops apiaster, Slovakia},
	isbn = {0021-8375},
	url = {http://www.springerlink.com/content/x637v4q7w5n87393/fulltext.pdf},
	author = {Hoi, H. and Kri{\v s}tof{\'\i}k, J and Darolova, A. and Hoi, C.}
}
@article {2653,
	title = {Possible functions of alternative nests in raptors: the case of Bonelli{\textquoteright}s Eagle},
	journal = {Journal of Ornithology},
	volume = {149},
	number = {2},
	year = {2008},
	pages = {253-259},
	abstract = {Four non-exclusive hypotheses have been proposed to explain the alternative nest-building behaviour of raptors: (1) nests as an advertising signal in territories, (2) frustration nests, (3) competition avoidance by nest-site and (4) reduction of nest ectoparasites. We report here data collected during an observational study of a population of Bonelli{\textquoteright}s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus in southeastern Spain. Our data does not support the first two hypotheses based on the closeness of nests within territories, the lack of correlation between the number of nests and the distance to neighbours and the construction of secondary nests at similar frequencies after breeding failures as after successes. In contrast, the construction of alternative nests to avoid competition with other cliff-nesting raptor species breeding nearby was clearly important since 30\% of the pairs obtained some direct benefit from the existence of alternative nests within their territories. We also found abundant Coleoptera (Dermestidae) and Diptera (Carnidae, Calliphoridae and Phoridae) as ectoparasites in nests, and the alternative use of nests, synergetically with the presence of greenery as mechanisms for avoiding ectoparasites, was an important factor for the breeding success of the eagle. Our data suggest that competition avoidance and, in particular, the reduction of nest ectoparasite hypotheses are the more plausible explanations for the maintenance of alternative nests in raptors.},
	keywords = {Carnidae, Carnus, Carnus hemapterus},
	doi = {10.1007/s10336-007-0268-4},
	url = {<Go to ISI>://WOS:000254237400014 },
	author = {Ontiveros, D. and Caro, J. and Pleguezuelos, J. M.}
}
