male bird – Shamskm: A site to exchange knowledge and solutions

Monogamous Birds….Peeping on the Neighbours!

It is well documented that male birds seduce females using their songs, colourful plumage and courtship dances. These signals reflect male genetic quality and will be graded by the female to determine a male’s potential as a mate. The stronger the grade, the better the odds of being selected.

But this basic rule isn’t the only yardstick used by females. As surprising as it seems, birds know how to use data from their social environment to maximize their chances of reproduction. Frédérique Dubois, a professor at the Université de Montréal Department of Biological Sciences, has already demonstrated that female Zebra Finches will favour a male chosen by another female. Dubois refers to this as imitation and the use of “public information” in choosing a mate. (more…)

Again, but Faster! The Spectacular Courtship Dance of a Tiny Bird

By Guest PostJune 5, 2011Naturebarney schlinger, cardiovascular function, Colombia, costa rica, courtship dance, ecology and evolutionary biology, females, gamboa, golden collared manakin, hummingbirds, julia barske, leonida fusani, male bird, manacus vitellinus, martin wikelski, milliseconds, miniature telemetry devices, motor performance, neuromuscular capability, panama, panama canal, panama city, predator, rainforest

A small male bird called a golden-collared manakin performs a difficult, elaborate, physically demanding courtship dance. In new research, life scientists report that female golden-collared manakins select mates based on subtle differences in motor performance during these dances.

“The male jumps like he’s been shot out of a cannon,” said study co-author Barney Schlinger, professor and departmental chair of integrative biology and physiology and a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UCLA. “It’s exquisite. He sails like an acrobat and lands perfectly on a perch, like a gymnast landing a flawless dismount. Not only is there power to his muscle contractions but incredible speed as well.” (more…)

Tag Archives: male bird

Monogamous Birds….Peeping on the Neighbours!

Again, but Faster! The Spectacular Courtship Dance of a Tiny Bird