AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Variation in badge size in male house sparrows Passer domesticus: evidence for status signalling

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1987
Authors:M
Journal:Animal Behaviour
Volume:35
Issue:6
Date Published:1987
ISBN Number:0003-3472
Keywords:Passer, Passer domesticus, Passeridae
Abstract:The relation of patterns of variation in badge size to dominance was studied in male house sparrows, Passer domesticus. Males with large badges were more dominant in winter flocks, irrespective of age, body size and body condition index. The frequency of attacks was higher with increasing similarity of badges of two contestants. Male house sparrows were more frequently engaged in attacks with males having a similar badge size when they had large badges than when they had small ones. Badge size did not change consistently with age. Breeding territory owners approached closer to, and moved less frequently in response to, a house sparrow model with a small badge than to one with a large badge. These results are consistent with a status signalling function of badge size variation in house sparrows.
URL:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003347287800568
Short Title:Animal Behaviour
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith