Male bird song attracts females — a field experiment

摘要: The initial stage of pair formation the pied and collared flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca F. albicollis) was simulated in a field experiment. Male dummies positioned near nest boxes “singing” by means tape-recorded song from loudspeakers offered prospecting females box combined with an automatic trap. An unequivocal demonstration female arrival at male's territory obtained trapping female. Control nest-box traps were provided silent dummies. Factors other than male causing attraction controlled daily switch position Nine out ten caught (one-tailed binomial test, P=0.011). result supports hypothesis that functions mate attraction. This has never previously been tested experiments although circumstantial evidence for it available.