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Experimental evidence that egg color indicates female condition at laying in a songbird

Author

Listed:
  • Juan Moreno
  • Elisa Lobato
  • Judith Morales
  • Santiago Merino
  • Gustavo Tomás
  • Josué Martínez-de la Puente
  • Juan J. Sanz
  • Rafael Mateo
  • Juan J. Soler

Abstract

The signaling hypothesis of eggshell coloration in birds is based on the assumption that females of species with blue-green eggs signal their phenotypic quality to their mates through deposition of the antioxidant biliverdin as pigment. Egg pigmentation may be an expression of the condition of females at laying or of genetic linkages between egg color and female performance variables. We have supplemented 16 pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca, females with mealworms before and during laying and compared the mass and color of their eggs as measured on the day of laying to those of 16 control females with the same nest construction and laying dates and clutch sizes. Supplemented females laid significantly heavier and more intensely blue-green eggs than control females. Egg blue-green chroma was significantly associated with the amount of biliverdin in eggshells. Egg color, and thus biliverdin content, is an expression of female condition at laying. Copyright 2006.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan Moreno & Elisa Lobato & Judith Morales & Santiago Merino & Gustavo Tomás & Josué Martínez-de la Puente & Juan J. Sanz & Rafael Mateo & Juan J. Soler, 2006. "Experimental evidence that egg color indicates female condition at laying in a songbird," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 17(4), pages 651-655, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:beheco:v:17:y:2006:i:4:p:651-655
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/beheco/ark014
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    Cited by:

    1. Juan José Soler & Ester Martínez-Renau & Manuel Azcárate-García & Cristina Ruiz-Castellano & José Martín & Manuel Martín-Vivaldi, 2022. "Made-up mouths with preen oil reveal genetic and phenotypic conditions of starling nestlings," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 33(3), pages 494-503.

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