Sexual differences in the foraging behaviour of the frill‐necked flycatcher Arses telescopthalmus in New Guinea

Abstract

AbstractThe foraging behaviour of male and female Arses telescopthalmus was studied at Brown River, Papua New Guinea. Significant differences exist between the sexes. The male mainly frequents the lower understorey and forages substantially on bare substrates, particularly vertical ones such as trunks and hanging vines. The female occurs mainly higher in the subcanopy, sallies frequently after aerial insects and forages mainly off leafy substrates. Both male and female show morphological adaptations to their specialized roles. Sexual differences in a species’foraging behaviour usually occur in depauperate avifaunas but the study area is rich in potential competitors of Arses. It is suggested that past environmental fluctuations may have initiated differentiation of male, female or both.