Mate Familiarity and the Reproductive Behavior of Ringed Turtle Doves

Abstract

PAIR bond establishment in birds may be manifested through a variety of behavior patterns. Typically there is a tendency to remain in close proximity to a single individual while avoiding others. Often reproductive and protective behavior are restricted to that individual; aggressive behavior is usually directed only toward other conspecifics. Other behavioral adjustments may be an expression of pair formation as well. A previous study of Ringed Turtle Doves (Streptopelia risoria) (Erickson and Morris 1972) demonstrated that performance levels of two principal behavior patterns, bow-cooing, and nest soliciting, differed according to whether the male was displaying to an unfamiliar female or to a former mate. The functional significance of these behavior patterns is not positively known, but it was suggested that bow-cooing is effective in achieving reproductive isolation, and nest soliciting is important in establishing the pair at the nest site. It was found that much more bow-cooing was exhibited in the presence of unfamiliar females, while slightly more nest soliciting was displayed to former mates. Other investigators have reported such modifications in display and vocalization among mated pairs. Stettner et al. (1966) and Stettner et al. (1971) found more frequent aggression toward nonmates and greater frequency of copulation with mates in Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus). Mundinger (1970) discovered that paired male and female cardueline finches modify their calls to resemble one another. He found changes of this sort even in mixed-species pairs where Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) males were paired with European Siskin (Carduelis spinus) females. Perhaps most dramatic are the antiphonal duets that develop among pairs of several avian species. Such duets may be either very simple and occasional as occurs in the hit-tuck of the White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) (Kilham 1972) or as elaborate and extended as the flutelike, multiphrased expositions of the African bou-bou shrikes (Thorpe and North 1965). Although it is clear that pair formation may be reflected in modifications of social interaction with both mate and nonmate, as yet few investigators have systematically attempted to trace the development of such behavioral modifications. The present study was designed to follow the divergence in performance when animals are exposed to familiar and unfamiliar animals.