scholarly journals Male Barn Swallows Tolerate Nestling-Like Courtship Calls of Rival Males

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masaru Hasegawa
Keyword(s):  
Parental Care ◽  
Male Courtship ◽  
Courtship Display ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Sensory Bias ◽  
Nestling Period ◽  
Sensory Trap ◽  
Female Attraction ◽  
Barn Swallows ◽  
Male Signals

Animals often exhibit conspicuous, and sometimes curious, courtship traits, such as nestling-like courtship display in birds, though modern studies of nestling-like courtship display (and calls) are virtually lacking. An exception is previous experiments on the barn swallow Hirundo rustica, demonstrating that females are equally attracted to playback of two structurally similar calls, nestling-like male courtship calls and nestling food-begging calls. The experiments support the sensory trap hypothesis, i.e., that male signals mimic nestling stimuli to exploit female parental care for nestlings. However, female attraction might not be the sole function of nestling-like traits, and males might also have a sensory bias toward nestling-like traits, in which males would be less aggressive toward characteristics typical of immature individuals. Here, I conducted playback experiments to study the function of nestling-like male courtship calls in the context of male–male interactions. Playback of male courtship songs induced frequent approaches by neighbouring males, while nestling-like male courtship calls or nestling food-begging calls induced fewer approaches, though male responses to the latter two vocalisations increased when approaching the nestling period. The observed pattern indicates that, by mimicking immature individuals, males attract intended signal receivers (i.e., females) while avoiding interference from eavesdroppers (i.e., neighbouring males). This unique function can explain why species with parental care exhibit immature-like behaviour.

scholarly journals Fine-tuned modulation of competitive behaviour according to kinship in barn swallow nestlings

2009 ◽  
Vol 276 (1664) ◽  
pp. 2117-2123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Boncoraglio ◽  
Manuela Caprioli ◽  
Nicola Saino
Keyword(s):  
Parental Care ◽  
Brood Parasitism ◽  
Genetic Relatedness ◽  
Kin Recognition ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Reduced Frequency ◽  
Individual Offspring ◽  
Competitive Behaviour ◽  
Barn Swallows ◽  
Normal Food

Kin selection theory predicts that, in species where progeny members compete for limiting parental care, individual offspring should be more prone to monopolize parental resources as their genetic relatedness to brood competitors decreases. Mixed parentage among broodmates may arise as a consequence, for example, of extra-pair fertilization or brood parasitism events. In this experimental study of barn swallows ( Hirundo rustica ), we reciprocally partially cross-fostered hatchlings between broods and compared the behaviour of pairs of related and unrelated broodmates in a competitive context, both under normal food provisioning regime and after mild food deprivation. We found that scramble competition for food mediated by visual and vocal solicitation displays (begging) is inversely related to relatedness among competitors, independent of their level of satiation. Nestlings may modulate their competitive behaviour according to vocal cues that vary with their origin and allow kin recognition. We also uncover direct fitness costs to both parents and offspring arising from mixed parentage in a brood, in terms of increased parental workload and reduced survival of the nestlings. Such previously neglected costs may select for reduced frequency of extra-pair fertilizations and brood parasitism in species with extensive parental care.

Flight speed, foraging efficiency, and daily energy budget of the Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (7) ◽  
pp. 1176-1183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Horacio de la Cueva ◽  
Robert W. Blake
Keyword(s):  
Doppler Radar ◽  
Flight Speed ◽  
Hirundo Rustica ◽  
Foraging Efficiency ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Aerodynamic Model ◽  
Daily Energy ◽  
Energy Store ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Barn Swallows

Aerodynamic power equations predict optimal speeds at which birds ought to fly if they are to maximize time spent in the air on a given energy store (minimum power speed, Vmp), distance covered using a given amount of fuel (maximum range speed, Vmr), and rate of delivering food to the chicks in the nest (Vnest), or maximize the daily energy balance (VDBAL). With the aerodynamic model employed, these speeds are 5.3, 7.0, 7.9, and 8.9 m∙s−1, respectively, for the Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica. A comparison of the predicted flight speed with both the mean and median flight speeds (8 m∙s−1 in both cases; n = 821) recorded with Doppler radar indicates that Barn Swallows fly at speeds not significantly different from Vnest. The true sample size was unknown, and realistic sample sizes are drawn with bootstrap procedures and compared with those given by the number of measurements (821); no significant differences were found. To test the model, energy requirements for growth, prey density, and time spent foraging were varied independently in a sensitivity analysis. Large but realistic changes in these three variables do not contradict the model and predict speeds within the range measured in the field.

Aggression, and the Acquisition and Function of Social Dominance in Female Anolis Carolinensis

Behaviour ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 133 (15-16) ◽  
pp. 1265-1279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cliff H. Summers ◽  
Thomas J. Andrews
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Social Dominance ◽  
Anolis Carolinensis ◽  
Resource Acquisition ◽  
Male Courtship ◽  
Body Color ◽  
Courtship Display ◽  
And Function

AbstractFemale green anoles, Anolis carolinensis, were paired in terraria to investigate behavioral components of social interaction. Resources (perching sites, prey, and males as potential mates) were limited to assess their importance to cohabiting females. During interaction, paired females exhibited aggressive social behavior which contributed to the development of dominant-subordinate relationships. Dominant status and its relationship to differential resource acquisition was defined primarily by frequency of displacement of another female. Along with displacement, dominant females also had increased frequency of assertion displays, challenge displays, attacks and biting (Figs 1 & 2). Subordinate females were displaced more often and assumed submissive postures. No differences were found between dominant and subordinate females for perch site selection, body color or in prey capturing latency or success (Figs 3 & 4). Perch site elevation was not different between dominant and subordinate females, but was significantly lower than males. The color of paired females was not different unless males were present, in which case dominant females were darker. Paired females also respond differently to courtship display (Fig. 5). Dominant females responded with displays significantly more often than subordinate females to male courtship, indicating receptivity. The role of dominant-subordinate relationships among female A. carolinensis may include courtship and reproductive success as an important component, with consequences for the outcome of aggressive and reproductive social interactions with males.

EFFECTS OF HYPOTHALAMIC IMPLANTS OF GONADAL STEROIDS ON COURTSHIP BEHAVIOUR IN BARBARY DOVES (STREPTOPELIA RISORIA)

1971 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. B. HUTCHISON
Keyword(s):  
Testosterone Propionate ◽  
Posterior Hypothalamus ◽  
Gonadal Steroids ◽  
Courtship Behaviour ◽  
Male Courtship ◽  
Courtship Display ◽  
Single Crystalline ◽  
Streptopelia Risoria ◽  
Lateral Hypothalamic ◽  
The Brain

SUMMARY To determine whether the display of male courtship behaviour depends on the action of androgen on discrete areas of the brain, single crystalline implants of testosterone propionate (TP) (mean weight 40 μg) were positioned unilaterally in the brains of castrated male Barbary doves. Implants in the preoptic, anterior hypothalamic and lateral hypothalamic areas induced the full courtship display consisting of chasing, bowing and nestsoliciting. None of these behaviour patterns was re-established at precastration levels measured in terms of duration of display. Durations of courtship displayed by implanted males were similar to those induced by daily intramuscular injections of TP (300 μg/day × 15) into castrated birds. The effectiveness of implants of TP into other regions of the brain could be related to their proximity to the preoptic and anterior hypothalamic regions. There were marked deficits in the pattern of courtship of castrated doves with implants in areas adjacent to the preoptic and anterior hypothalamic regions — the neostriatum intermediale, the area basalis, and posterior hypothalamus; implants more distantly placed in the paleostriatum primitivum and lateral forebrain bundle area did not induce courtship behaviour. Cholesterol implants (59 μg) and blank implant tubing in the preoptic and anterior hypothalamic areas did not affect behaviour. The results obtained were not specific for TP implants; chasing and nest-soliciting displays were also induced by either testosterone implants (51 μg) or oestradiol-17β monobenzoate implants (47 μg). In both cases, the courtship display lacked bowing. It is concluded that the preoptic and anterior hypothalamic areas are directly sensitive to testosterone and that these areas are associated with the control of courtship behaviour.

scholarly journals Conspecific cues encourage Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster) prospecting, but not nesting, at new nesting structures

2020 ◽  
Vol 133 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-245
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Campomizzi ◽  
Zoé M. Lebrun-Southcott ◽  
Kristyn Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Hirundo Rustica ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Nesting Habitat ◽  
Southern Ontario ◽  
Manipulative Experiments ◽  
Barn Swallows ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Conspecific Cues

Shed-like structures are being built to provide Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster) nesting habitat in response to population declines. However, Barn Swallow use of these structures is unavailable in the literature. We conducted three manipulative experiments to test if adding conspecific cues (i.e., vocalizations and decoys) to newly-built structures affected prospecting visits by Barn Swallows (1) during pre-breeding, (2) during post-breeding, and (3) during or after broadcasts of vocalizations compared to before broadcasts. Additionally, we monitored nesting following pre- and post-breeding cues. We built one nesting structure with and one without conspecific cues at each of 10 study sites in southern Ontario, Canada where nesting habitat was recently lost. We detected about twice as many Barn Swallows immediately after conspecific broadcasts compared to before. We did not find substantial differences in abundance and interactions with new nesting structures for other comparisons involving conspecific cues. Following pre-breeding cues at 10 sites, six nests were built in three of 10 structures treated with conspecific cues, compared to five nests in four of 10 structures without cues. In the subsequent breeding season following post-breeding cues at eight sites, four nests were built in two of eight structures treated with conspecific cues, compared to four nests in three of eight structures without cues. Conspecific vocalizations appeared to increase prospecting behaviour, but not the number of nests, at new nesting structures. The paucity of nests on new structures suggests that building shed-like structures may not be an effective method of mitigating loss of nesting habitat.

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) fledglings use crop habitat more frequently in relation to its availability than pasture and other habitat types

The Condor ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chloe K Boynton ◽  
Nancy A Mahony ◽  
Tony D Williams
Keyword(s):  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Hirundo Rustica ◽  
Barn Swallow ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Natal Habitat ◽  
Movement Distance ◽  
Barn Swallows ◽  
Declining Species

Abstract Populations of birds that forage on aerial insects have been declining across North America for several decades, but the main causes of and reasons for geographical variation in these declines remains unclear. We examined the habitat use and survival of post-fledging Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) near Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, using VHF radio telemetry. We predicted that fledgling Barn Swallows hatched in higher-quality natal habitat (pasture) would fledge at higher quality, stay closest to the nest, disproportionately use higher-quality habitat during the post-fledge stage, and have higher survival rates in the region. Contrary to our predictions, we found that natal habitat (crop, pasture, or non-agriculture) had no effect on fledgling quality or movement distance. Barn Swallow fledglings used crop habitat more frequently in relation to its availability than other habitat types, including pasture. Barn Swallows had low post-fledging survival rates (0.44; 95% CI: 0.35–0.57), which could negatively influence the population trend of the species in this region. While natal habitat had only minor effects, crop habitat appears to be important for fledgling Barn Swallows and, therefore, a decline in this habitat type could have further negative implications for an already declining species.

Parental Care and Polygyny in the Chiffchaff Phylloscopus Collybita

Behaviour ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 133 (13-14) ◽  
pp. 1077-1094 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos Rodrigues
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Parental Care ◽  
Threshold Model ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Food Provisioning ◽  
Nestling Period

AbstractThe males of most bird species help to raise the young, and females may suffer costs from polygyny because of having to share the male parental care. In the chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) nests of monogamously and polygynously mated females had similar success in relation to the proportion of fledged young. Overall, male chiffchaffs provided little assistance to females during the nestling period, but they increased help when the young left the nest. Females who choose already-paired males (secondary females) incurred lower reproductive success, because they were unable to start a second brood after raising their first brood. Primary and monogamous females which received male help in the form of food provisioning during the fledgling period were more likely to attempt a second brood. This is the first study that reports associated costs to secondary females due to the lack of paternal aid after the young have fledged the nest. However, secondary females still can obtain compensatory benefits, as predicted by the polygyny threshold model, since most of them settled in good quality habitats, close to the primary females.

Male courtship displays and vocal communication in the polygynous bat Carollia perspicillata

Behaviour ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 151 (6) ◽  
pp. 781-798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirjam Knörnschild ◽  
Marion Feifel ◽  
Elisabeth K.V. Kalko
Keyword(s):  
Vocal Communication ◽  
Mate Recognition ◽  
Courtship Behaviour ◽  
Male Courtship ◽  
Courtship Display ◽  
Carollia Perspicillata ◽  
Fruit Bat ◽  
Distress Calls ◽  
Individual Signature ◽  
Courtship Displays

Male courtship behaviour towards choosy females often comprises elaborate displays that address multiple sensory channels. In bats, detailed quantitative descriptions of multimodal courtship displays are still fairly scarce, despite the taxon’s speciose nature. We studied male courtship behaviour in a polygynous Neotropical bat, Seba’s short-tailed fruit bat Carollia perspicillata, by monitoring harem males in a captive colony. Courting male C. perspicillata performed stereotypic tactile, visual and acoustic displays. A courtship sequence, directed at one female at a time, lasted up to 120 s. During courtship, males approached females by brachiating or flying, hovered in front of them, pursued them on the wing, sniffed them and repeatedly poked the females with one or both folded wings; the latter behaviour was the most conspicuous male courtship display. Immediately before copulation, males wrapped their wings around the females and bit their necks. As acoustic display, courting male C. perspicillata produced highly variable, monosyllabic courtship trills. The species’ vocal repertoire consisted of ten different social vocalisation types, three for benign interactions (courtship trills, wobbles, isolation calls), four for aggressive encounters (aggressive trills, down-sweeps, warbles, distress calls) and the remaining three for unknown behavioural contexts (V-shaped calls, flat down-sweeps, hooks). Courtship trills and aggressive trills were exclusively produced by males. We measured 245 courtship trills of five males and found statistical evidence for a strong individual signature which has the potential to facilitate female choice, mate recognition or neighbour–stranger recognition among male competitors.

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