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Plumage color manipulation has no effect on social dominance or fitness in zebra finches

Author

Listed:
  • Sofia Jerónimo
  • Mehdi Khadraoui
  • Daiping Wang
  • Katrin Martin
  • John A Lesku
  • Kylie A Robert
  • Emmi Schlicht
  • Wolfgang Forstmeier
  • Bart Kempenaers
  • Naomi LangmoreHandling editor

Abstract

Many species of birds have evolved a colorful plumage, and such ornamentation is thought to play a role in mate choice and in social dominance interactions. Here, we study captive zebra finches that breed in communal aviaries. In each aviary, we manipulated, using a black dye, parts of the plumage of some of the individuals. As a counter to our expectations, we observed that artificially painted individuals reached the same social dominance and reproductive success as the nonmanipulated majority of birds.

Suggested Citation

  • Sofia Jerónimo & Mehdi Khadraoui & Daiping Wang & Katrin Martin & John A Lesku & Kylie A Robert & Emmi Schlicht & Wolfgang Forstmeier & Bart Kempenaers & Naomi LangmoreHandling editor, 2018. "Plumage color manipulation has no effect on social dominance or fitness in zebra finches," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 29(2), pages 459-467.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:beheco:v:29:y:2018:i:2:p:459-467.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/beheco/arx195
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