Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Center

08 May, 09 AM - 10 May, 05 AM

Three groups of birds (songbirds, parrots, and hummingbirds) are documented to sing and learn songs. Most research about avian song has been conducted on songbirds. Hummingbirds contain species that have learned versus innate song making them ideal to study the evolution of song. Costa?s Hummingbirds (Calypte costae) have simple songs while their sister taxa, Anna?s Hummingbirds (Calypte anna), have complex songs. Both can be found in similar habitats in southern California. I will be studying the selective forces acting on Costa?s Hummingbird song which are suggested to be different from Anna?s Hummingbirds, because of the different female selective pressures on song. Is there a positive correlation between certain song components and male reproductive success; and if so, which song characteristics are being sexually selected? I will measure reproductive success of males using genetic paternity tests, as well as different song characteristics and behavior. DNA from feathers will be used for paternity analysis, and observations and singing will be recorded. I predict that the song characteristics with a significant positive correlation with paternity percentage will be peak frequency, song length, and maximum frequency as well as the number of songs in a bout and the number of songs sung in 1-hour. I also predict that amplitude, the duration of the three elements, and the number of dive displays performed will not be correlated with paternity percentage. This study will increase our understanding of selective forces acting on Costa?s Hummingbirds by studying the relationship between male Costa?s Hummingbird song and reproductive success.

Visit #18085 @Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Center

Approved

Under Project # 19878 | Research

Reproductive Success and Song in Costa's hummingbirds

graduate_student - California State University (CSU), Fullerton

Reservation Members(s)

Erin Chin May 8 - 10, 2009 (3 days)
Erin Chin May 8 - 10, 2009 (3 days)
Erin Chin May 8 - 10, 2009 (3 days)

Reserve Resources(s) | Create Invoice

Mayhew housing facilities 3 May 8 - 10, 2009
Lab Space 3 May 8 - 10, 2009