Investigating the relationship between singing location and plumage in male wood warblers (Parulini)
Macgregor N. 2012. Investigating the relationship between singing location and plumage in male wood warblers (Parulini). National Park Service. University of Cambridge, England
In many of the species of North American wood warblers (Parulini), males have some black plumage; these species show a range of different patterns in the extent and location of black feathers on the body. Many species also have bright plumage colours, particularly yellow, and results of previous studies (Burtt 1986) suggest that these bright colours have evolved for maximum conspicuousness. However, it is unclear whether the male’s black plumage might also have a signalling role. In this short study, I investigated whether black plumage in male wood warblers might help to make the bird more conspicuous when singing and displaying. I did this by looking at whether there is a relationship between the extent of black plumage present in males of different species and the locations in forest vegetation from which they sing. I tested two alternative hypotheses for a signalling role of black plumage.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Macgregor, Nicholas
- Date of Issue
- 2012
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- color, GRSM-00309, New York, Parulini, Plumage, Quebec, singing location, warblers
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Birds