Melanin ornament brightness and aggression at the nest in female Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis)

摘要: ABSTRACT Research is increasingly addressing the evolution and use of sexually selected traits in females. One strong area interest display intrasexual aggression how female ornaments are used competition. particular type ornament focused on for its both sexes melanin pigmented ornaments. Over course 2 breeding seasons a southeastern Mississippi population cardinals, we assessed brightness face mask plumage Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) compared it to behavioral responses during intraspecific simulated nest intrusions (SNIs). All females responded SNI, but did not co-vary with level shown. Our findings do support earlier work suggesting that an indicator at nest. Potentially, differences behavior environmental variables between populations car...