Jakober, H., and W. Stauber (1994) “Kopulationen und Partnerbewachung beim Neuntoter
———(1983) “Zur Phanologie einer Population des Neuntoters (
Kempenaers, B. (1994) “Polygyny in the Blue Tit: Unbalanced Sex Ratio and Female Aggression Restrict Mate Choice.”
———(1993) “A Case of Polyandry in the Blue Tit: Female Extra-Pair Behavior Results in Extra Male Help.”
Kempenaers, B., G. R. Verheyen, and A. A. Dhondt (1997) “Extrapair Paternity in the Blue Tit (
———(1995) “Mate Guarding and Copulation Behavior in Monogamous and Polygynous Blue Tits: Do Males Follow a Best-of-a-Bad-Job Strategy?”
Krieg, D. C. (1971)
Massa, R., L. Bottoni, L. Fornasari, and N. Sacchi (1995) “Studies on the Socio-Sexual and Territorial System of the Red-backed Shrike.”
Meek, S. B., R. J. Robertson, and P. T. Boag (1994) “Extrapair Paternity and Intraspecific Brood Parasitism in Eastern Bluebirds Revealed by DNA Fingerprinting.”
*Owen, J. H. (1946) “The Eggs of the Red-backed Shrike.”
*Pinkowski, B.C. (1977) “‘Courtship Feeding’ Attempt Between Two Male Eastern Bluebirds.”
*Pounds, H. E. (1972) “Two Red-backed Shrikes Laying in One Nest.”
*S?tre, G.-P., and T. Slagsvold (1993) “Evidence for Sex Recognition from Plumage Color by the Pied Flycatcher,
*Slagsvold, T., and G.-P. S?tre (1991) “Evolution of Plumage Color in Male Pied Flycatchers (
Stanback, M. T., and W. D. Koenig (1992) “Cannibalism in Birds.” In M.A. Elgar and B. J. Crespi, eds.,
*Zeleny, L. (1976)
SPARROWS, BLACKBIRDS, AND CROWS
GRAY-CAPPED SOCIAL WEAVER
IDENTIFICATION: A grayish buff, sparrow-sized bird with a pale gray-white crown. DISTRIBUTION: Northeast Africa. HABITAT: Bush, acacia savanna. STUDY AREA: Olorgesailie National Prehistoric Site, Kenya; subspecies
SOCIABLE WEAVER
IDENTIFICATION: A drab, sparrowlike bird with brownish gray plumage and a black throat patch. DISTRIBUTION: Southwestern Africa. HABITAT: Scrub, savanna. STUDY AREA: University of California—Los Angeles.
BISHOP BIRDS
IDENTIFICATION: Small, sparrowlike birds with black and brown plumage and various scarlet, red, or reddish orange patches on the chest, nape, crown, and rump. DISTRIBUTION: Sub-Saharan Africa. HABITAT: Moist grassland. STUDY AREAS: Several locations in South Africa, including near Cape Town, Howick, and Bloemfontein; University of Cape Town and University of Bielefeld.
Social Organization
Weaverbirds are named for the intricate—and often colossal—nests they weave. Sociable Weavers build giant condominium-like structures containing many nest chambers; each chamber may house up to 5 birds, while the entire colony can contain as many as 500 birds. Colonies of Gray-capped Social Weavers consist of family groups that each build several hanging nests (one is used as an actual nesting chamber, the others for sleeping). Several groups occupy the same tree, each situated in its own cluster. In both Gray-caps and Sociable Weavers, breeding birds form pair-bonds, and “helper” birds may assist them in their parenting duties. Adult male Bishop Birds establish territories during the breeding season on which they weave elaborate nests and court potential mates. The breeding system of Bishop Birds is polygynous: males mate with numerous females, each of whom lays eggs in one of the nests on his territory, but the male himself does not participate in any parental duties. Outside of the breeding season, Bishop Birds typically socialize in large, often mixed-species flocks.
Description
On their nesting territories, male Red Bishop Birds court both females and males, the latter usually being younger males who have brown plumage (as do females). Courtship consists of two components: a flying display and a perched display. When a young male appears near his territory, an adult male approaches in a distinctive BUMBLE-FLIGHT, in which he fluffs up all of his plumage and flies with slow wingbeats, resembling a bumble-bee. The bird’s bright red back or epaulet feathers are prominently displayed, and the bumble-flying may be accompanied by singing or a distinctive noise made by his flapping wings. Sometimes males bumble-fly toward another adult male rather than a younger male. After the display flight, the adult male lands near the other male and begins the