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- Title
Song rates of dark-eyed juncos do not increase when females are fertile
- Authors
Chandler, C. R.; Ketterson, E. D.; Nolan, Jr., V.; Titus, R. C.
- Abstract
Frequency of singing by birds may vary with reproductive stage in ways that reflect variation in the functions of song in intersexual andintrasexual communication. In dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis) highamplitude song is produced only by males. To investigate the function of this song, we tested whether fertility of females affected singing by their mates or by neighboring males. Using focal observations, song censuses, and radiotracking data, we determined whether song production varied between and among periods when females were fertile and non-fertile. Our findings show that males do not increase song production when their mates are fertile, nor do they increase song production when neighboring females are fertile. These results suggest thatmale juncos do not signal their intent to defend territories (or mates) more when females are fertile and that they do not use song to advertise to specific potential participants in extra-pair fertilizations.
- Subjects
ANIMAL sexual behavior; JUNCOS; BIRD behavior; REPRODUCTION
- Publication
Behavioral Ecology & Sociobiology, 1997, Vol 41, Issue 3, p165
- ISSN
0340-5443
- Publication type
Article