Female aggression in the European starling during the breeding season
Article Abstract:
The female European starling, Sturnus vulgaris, exhibits strong aggression towards intraspecific caged intruders during the breeding season. Females are more aggressive towards conspecific females than males. The inter-sexual aggression is highest during the early breeding stages. The aggressive behavior of the female starlings increases when the males have an opportunity to attract secondary females to an additional nestbox. Resource defence, brood parasitism and defense of paternal care are discussed as the basic reasons for intra-sexual female aggression.
Publication Name: Animal Behaviour
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0003-3472
Year: 1997
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Paternal care in the European starling, Sturnus vulgaris: incubation
Article Abstract:
There are two reasons for a cross-species correlation between male incubation and mating system among birds. Firstly in polygynous species, there may be a bigger potential for males to gain additional mates enhancing the chance cost for males to incubate. The second thing is that the presence of male incubation will enhance the cost of polygyny to females, causing females to try and preserve monogamy through militant action.
Publication Name: Animal Behaviour
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0003-3472
Year: 1995
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Interfemale variation in egg yolk androgen allocation in the European starling: do high-quality females invest more?
Article Abstract:
Interfemale variation in allocation of the androgenic steroids testosterone and androstenedione to eggs in a wild population of European starlings, Sturnus vulgaris, is examined. The hypothesis predicts that females of high quality or high reproductive potential should invest more yolk androgens in their eggs than females of low quality or low reproductive potential.
Publication Name: Animal Behaviour
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0003-3472
Year: 2003
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