Nestling growth and song repertoire size in great reed warblers: evidence for song learning as an indicator mechanism in mate choice

摘要: Females of many songbird species show a preference for mating with males that have larger song repertoires, but the advantages associated this are uncertain. We tested hypothesis complexity can serve as an indicator male quality because development brain regions underlying learning and production occurs when young birds typically face nutritional other stresses, so reflects how well fared during post-hatch development. A key prediction is variation in nestling condition should correspond to adult repertoires individuals. used data from long-term study great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) test prediction, correlating two measures subsequent repertoire size males. found length innermost primary feather, standard measure development, significantly predicted first-year size. The relationship between body mass was nearly significant, spite large variance inherent measure. These support idea may provide females information about male's response developmental stress, which turn expected correlate indirect or direct benefits she might receive.