Offspring provisioning is affected by begging behaviour and hatch order but not relatedness in a communally breeding bird

We investigated offspring provisioning in communal breeding smooth-billed anis (Crotophaga ani), a bird species where multiple non-kin co-breeders form a single group and females contribute eggs to a joint clutch reared by all group members. Hypothesizing that these birds exhibit kin recognition, we predicted that smooth-billed anis would preferentially feed their offspring and increase feeding effort as their genetic contribution to joint broods increased. Hypothesizing that nestling signals and cues affect provisioning, we predicted that adults would be more likely to feed nestlings that begged earlier and harder and less likely to feed smaller nestlings. Using video from 13 breeding groups, we found no evidence that smooth-billed anis preferentially feed their offspring or increase feeding effort when they have more offspring in joint broods. Individuals were more likely to feed their offspring in joint broods containing a higher proportion of their offspring, suggesting that more productive individuals indirectly benefit their offspring via chance. Caregivers were more likely to feed nestlings that begged earlier and harder and first-hatched nestlings.