Nest decoration as social signals by males and females: greenery and feathers in starling colonies

Juan G Rubalcaba, Daniel Fuentes, José P Veiga and Vicente Polo

Behavioral Ecology, 2017, vol. 28, issue 5, 1369-1375

Abstract: Lay SummaryMale and female starlings decorate their nests more in crowded neighborhoods. The use of odd materials in bird nests, such as green plants or ornamental feathers, is often associated with the social status and competitive abilities of the owners. Here, we show that the density of conspecifics increases competition for breeding resources and stimulates the use of decorative materials by both sexes. Social environment in breeding colonies represents an evolutionary driver for intraspecific communication.

Keywords: breeding density; female ornaments; green nesting material; nest decoration; ornamental feathers; sexual selection; Sturnus unicolor (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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