Breeding biology and behaviour of the quail finch ortygospiza atricolus
TL;DR: Observations of the breeding biology of the Quail Finch Ortygospiza atricollis supplemented with observations of breeding behaviour in captivity found breeding success was low, with most losses resulting from predation during either the egg-laying or incubation stages.
Abstract: Summary Nuttall, R.J. 1992. Breeding biology and behaviour of the Quail Finch Ortygospiza atricollis. Ostrich 63:110-117. During a study of the breeding biology of the Quail Finch Ortygospiza atricollis, observations of nest-building, egg-laying, incubation and nestling periods, and nestling development in a grassland near Pietermaritzburg, South Africa were supplemented with observations of breeding behaviour in captivity. Mean clutch size was 4,5 and eggs were laid at intervals of approximately one day. Incubation began after the third or fourth egg was laid. An incubation period of 15–16 days and an estimated nestling period of 18–19 days was recorded. Incubation and brooding are shared by both sexes. Breeding success was low (26,7% −28,6%), with most losses resulting from predation during either the egg-laying or incubation stages.
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TL;DR: The field observations support the hypothesis of evolutionary associations of the brood parasite and foster species by colonization with switching from one foster to another rather than by cospeciation.
Abstract: The brood-parasitic indigobirds Vidua spp. mimic the songs of their foster species, which for many species of indigobirds are Lagonosticta firefinches. We report additional associations of indigobirds with estrildid finches in west Africa. Quail-finch Indigobirds Vidua nigeriae in northern Cameroon mimic the songs of Quail-finch Ortygospiza atricollis. Gold-breast Indigobirds Vidua raricola in Cameroon and Sierra Leone mimic the songs of Gold-breast Amandava subflava. Both indigobirds are distinct in male breeding plumage from other indigobirds. Also, a population of blue indigobirds Vidua sp. in Cameroon mimics the songs of Brown Twinspot Clytospiza monteiri. They are similar in colour and size to blue indigobirds associated with Dark Firefinch L. rubricata and Black-bellied Firefinch L. rara. Mouth patterns of fledged young Quail-finch Indigobirds and Goldbreast Indigobirds resemble those of their song-model and presumed foster species, but the mouth pattern of a fledged young associated with the Brown Twinspot mimic was not distinct from the mouth of young Black-bellied Firefinch. The field observations show associations of certain species of indigobirds with finches other than the firefinches. The results are consistent with mitochondrial DNA estimates of greater genetic similarity among indigobirds than among their foster species. The field observations support the hypothesis of evolutionary associations of the brood parasite and foster species by colonization with switching from one foster to another rather than by cospeciation.
38 citations
TL;DR: The predominantly terrestrial habits and grassland habitat of this species ma have been important in the evolution of a specialized vocal repertoire, particularly of sex-specific vocalizations necessary for sexual and individual recognition, and the maintenance of contact between individuals.
Abstract: Summary Nuttall, R.J. 1993. Vocal behaviour of the Quail Finch Ortygospiza atricollis. Ostrich 64:97-104. Vocalizations (contact, take-off, flight, alarm, beckon, nestling begging and nestling threat calls, contact phrases and song of the Quail Finch Ortygospiza atricollis are described from observations and recordings of wild-caught aviary birds, and from individuals in the field. The predominantly terrestrial habits and grassland habitat of this species ma have been important in the evolution of a specialized vocal repertoire, particularly of sex-specific vocalizations necessary for sexual and individual recognition, and the maintenance of contact between individuals.
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3,382 citations
TL;DR: One possible function of male zebra finch song is to provide his mate with an acoustic basis of individual recognition that may serve to strengthen and/or maintain the pair band.
Abstract: Laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the extent to which female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) respond preferentially to the song of their own mate versus the song of a neighbouring conspecific male. Following a 2 to 3 day period of separation from their mates, 20 females were tested individually in 30-min simultaneous auditory choice tests. Of the birds that showed clear preferences as assessed via approach duration scores, 14 strongly preferred the song of their mate, and two preferred the song of a neighbour. Thus, one possible function of male zebra finch song, which is highly variable inter-individually, is to provide his mate with an acoustic basis of individual recognition that may serve to strengthen and/or maintain the pair band.
178 citations