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Half of Long-tailed Shrike Nests Were Parasitized by Asian Koels in Bangladesh Study

Long-tailed Shrike in Bangladesh
Research · Reproduction & development

A breeding-season study presented in a 2026 conference abstract reported brood parasitism by Asian koels (Eudynamys scolopaceus) in 50% of the long-tailed shrike (Lanius schach) nests assessed in Bangladesh. Surveys conducted from March to August 2024 located eight shrike nests, six of which were active and contained at least one egg. It is unclear whether the reported 50% parasitism rate refers to all eight recorded nests or only the six active nests.

Breeding activity peaked in May, when 37.5% of the recorded activity occurred. The researchers reported hatching success of 55.6% in parasitized nests and 58.8% in unparasitized nests. Fledging success was 36.1% in parasitized nests and 47.8% in unparasitized nests. These comparisons are based on only six active nests.

The study also described nest placement and materials. Most nests were positioned near the periphery of trees, and fine grass was the largest recorded component of nest material. The authors additionally recorded several synthetic materials, including plastic threads, ropes, polythene, nets, fabrics and plastic bags.

Sources and image credit

  1. Hasan, M. M., & Metu, A. A. (2026). Breeding Biology of the Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach) and Its Response to Brood Parasitism by the Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus). Proceedings of The 1st International Online Conference on Biology. MDPI Sciforum. https://sciforum.net/paper/28670Primary conference proceeding published 5 February 2026. Surveys from March to August 2024 located eight Long-tailed Shrike nests, six active. The authors report 50% brood parasitism by Asian Koels, hatching success of 55.56% in parasitized versus 58.75% in unparasitized nests, and fledging success of 36.11% versus 47.78%. The study also quantified nest placement and materials.

Image: Lisunkhanbd / Wikimedia Commons — Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach) in Bangladesh, photographed 13 October 2017. Cropped to 16:9; representative Bangladeshi species image, not a bird from the study. · CC BY-SA 4.0 — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ · Source

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