Partnerships in Birds : The Study of Monogamy: The Study of Monogamy

Front Cover
Jeffrey M. Black
Oxford University Press, UK, May 30, 1996 - 432 pages
Some birds mate for life, while others have many partners. Why? In this book, fourteen classic studies of bird behaviour are brought together to compare the different partnership patterns from ecological and evolutionary perspectives. Often there is a battle of the sexes, as individual birds behave in the way that serves their best interests. Introductory and concluding chapters review the latest thinking on this fascinating subject. - ;Some birds mate for life, while others have many partners. In this book, fourteen studies are brought together to compare different partnership patterns from ecological and evolutionary perspectives. The subjects have been chosen to include the same species living in different habitats (Sparrowhawks) and at different population densities (Great Tits). There are comparisons between closely related species (Mute Swans and Bewick's Swans). The studies span the globe and the behavioural gradient, from Iceland's strictly monogamous Whooper Swans to Australia's sexually promiscuous Splendid Fairy-wrens. In all cases, sexual and social relationships strongly influence a bird's survival and breeding success. -
 

Contents

pair bonds and partnerships
3
Contributors
7
STUART BRADLEY Biological Sciences Murdoch University Perth
20
Battles of the sexes and origins of monogamy
21
MURRAY WILLIAMS Department of Conservation PO Box 10420
49
The model family
53
PIA LIEVESLEY Edward Grey Institute for Field Ornithology Zoology
66
Continuous partnerships
71
Causes and consequences of longterm partnerships
211
the Shorttailed Shearwater
223
Between and withinpopulation variation in mate fidelity
235
Monogamy in the Sparrowhawk
249
Mate fidelity in penguins
268
JOHN W YARRALL 1 Vasanta Avenue Ngaio Wellington
285
Causes and consequences of mate fidelity in Redbilled Gulls
286
Dispersal demography and the persistence of partnerships
305

Do Barnacle Geese benefit from lifelong monogamy?
91
an interspecific comparison
118
Breeding partnerships of two New World jays
138
Partnerships in promiscuous Splendid Fairywrens
162
Parttime partnerships
175
polygyny avoidance
192
Monogamy and sperm competition in birds
323
Mate fidelity and divorce in monogamous birds
344
Author index
403
Subject index
409
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