Grey fantail study

[Robin Hide <>]

Kat Munro's grey fantail study (see Gang-Gang May 2007) during
2002-2005 in Campbell Park and Mt Ainslie is now out in Aus J of
Zoology..

Munro, Kat (2007). ?Breeding
behaviour and ecology of the grey fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa).?
Australian Journal of Zoology 55(4): 257?265.
Abstract:  The grey fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa) is a common
Australian flycatcher, yet no detailed reports have been made of its
breeding ecology. A population of grey fantails was studied over four
seasons in the Australian Capital Territory. Males had large testes and
pronounced cloacal protuberances, morphology suggestive of sperm
competition. Although two polyandrous trios were observed, most
individuals bred as part of a season-long monogamous pair, suggesting
that extra-pair copulation may be the principal cause of sperm
competition. Indeed, behavioural observations revealed that males
regularly intruded other territories, targeting those with building,
rather than incubating, females. Intruding males were observed harassing,
attempting to copulate and successfully copulating with resident females.
Males did not mate guard, but regularly attacked their mates during each
building attempt. Despite the probability that extra-pair paternity is
common in this species, grey fantails were monomorphic and monochromatic,
with a high level of paternal care. Nest depredation was common, with 83%
of all clutches depredated before fledging. High levels of male care in
care in this species may be better explained by an increase in fledging
success associated with high male contribution to offspring care than
confidence of paternity.

Robin Hide