Genetic monogamy in burrowing parrots <i>Cyanoliseus patagonus</i> ?

Abstract

We report on a first DNA fingerprinting study of paternity in a Psittaciform bird, the burrowing parrot Cyanoliseus patagonus . In two consecutive breeding seasons, a total of 49 families was sampled, of which 11 breeding pairs were investigated each of two years. Extra‐pair paternity was not encountered suggesting that burrowing parrots are socially as well as genetically monogamous. Strict genetic monogamy is comparatively rare in birds and occurs predominantly in some groups of non‐passeriformes all of which exhibit long reproductive lifespans and essential paternal care. Psittaciformes fit this pattern. We conclude that paternal care plays a crucial role in the evolution and maintenance of genetic monogamy in the study species. Cases of intraspecific brood parasitism are rarely observed.