Demand Behavior: A New Interpretation of Courtship Feeding

Abstract

-This review examines the various interpretations of courtship feeding (away from the nest, and not necessarily associated with copulation). Courtship feeding undoubtedly functions to maintain the pair-bond in many species, and also increases a female's fitness by providing her with extra food. This behavior is also claimed to express a male's dominance over a female, the female's so-called display being termed submissive. I present evidence that courtship feeding is, in fact, strongly correlated with female dominance over the male. Since begging fledglings can commonly supplant their parents, it may be more appropriate to call begging displays behavior. Various elements of demand behavior in other contexts can serve both in appeasement and in threat displays. The common factor in each is that the displaying birds' strong tendency to attack is inhibited by other drives such as hunger, sex or fear. Besides pair-bond maintenance, energy provision, and possibly expression of female dominance, courtship feeding can also serve to increase a male's fitness by being his most direct way of contributing to the quality of his own