The Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia) has a mating system characterized by monogamy and biparental care, and has the broadest breeding distribution of any Dendroica species. When faced with a short breeding season and unpredictable conditions at high latitude, they display physiological responses to help optimize the tradeoff between individual risk and reproductive success. Because these circumstances may also affect behavior, we measured the song rates (songs/hr) of subArctic- and temperate-breeding males during the nestling period. Temperate males sang at higher rates when compared to subArctic males. Maintaining a high song rate while provisioning nestlings may be advantageous if a second brood is attempted. Our results suggest behavioral plasticity as a result of differing constraints on time and reproduction.
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1 March 2007
Differences in Song Rate in Two Populations of Yellow Warblers
C. Morgan Wilson,
Rebecca L. Holberton
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The Wilson Journal of Ornithology
Vol. 119 • No. 1
March 2007
Vol. 119 • No. 1
March 2007