Patterns of painting in satin bowerbirds Ptilonorhynchus violaceus and males’ responses to changes in their paint

摘要: Satin bowerbirds Ptilonorhynchus violaceus have an elaborate multi-component sexual display, some components of which been extensively studied. We describe a relatively unstudied component this bower painting, and birds' responses to manipulations their paint. Males species focus display around stick constructed on the forest floor they decorate with variety objects Painting involves male masticating plant material wiping plant-saliva mixture onto inside walls bower; during courtship visits bowers, females nibble at found that 93% 53 males painted bowers our study site time spent painting accounted for 24% bower. experimentally removed added paint test whether respond these changes in gave more advertisement calls less manipulating sticks when we fresh wet compared older dried or control treatment. They did not removal from perhaps because it was primarily removed. also frequently there measurable wind could degraded quality signal. Our findings indicate is important than and, together previous work site, suggest may act as signal females. Given courtship, function chemical rather visual