Female splendid and variegated fairy-wrens display different strategies during territory defence

摘要: Contrary to the traditional view that territory defence is a male behaviour, there now evidence female birds actively engage in defence, either alone or with their mate. In males, song sharing between neighbours has been shown facilitate but little known about importance of for such behaviour females. Here, I examined sex roles and element two related species: splendid fairy-wren, Malurus splendens , variegated lamberti . first described structure partners both songs. then simulated conspecific intrusions by broadcasting within pair's territory. Both fairy-wren females sang songs as complex counterparts responded playback intrusions. Song was common species, only shared more elements mate than other recorded males on average. Females each species engaged different strategies when responding intruders: fairy-wrens competed intruders, while coordinated mates exhibited cooperative behaviours toward intruders. discuss ideas variation levels extrapair paternity and/or competition may drive evolution