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Copulation and Mate Guarding in the Yellow-Billed Magpie Pica Nuttalli and a Comparison With the Black-Billed Magpie P. Pica

In: Behaviour
Authors:
T.R. Birkhead Department of Animal & Plant Sciences, P.O. Box 601, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2UQ, UK

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K. Clarkson Peak National Park, Losehill Hall, Castleton, Derbyshire, S30 2WD, UK

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M.D. Reynolds Sagehen Creek Field Station, P.O. Box 2382, Truckee, CA 95734, USA

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W.D. Koenig Museum of Vertebrate Zoology and Hastings Reservation, University of California, Star Route Box 80, Carmel Valley, CA 93924, USA

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Online Publication Date:
01 Jan 1992
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Abstract

Yellow-billed magpies breed in loose colonies. Extra-pair courtship is frequent, and a comparison (I) between two adjacent areas with different inter-nest distances, and (2) with solitary, territorial European black-billed magpies, indicates that either an aggregated distribution of nests, or a relatively loose territorial system in yellow-billed magpies increases opportunities for extra-pair behaviour. Male yellow-billed magpies guard their partner by closely following them from five days before the first egg is laid. Pair copulations were infrequent, occurring 3 or 4 times per clutch, and mainly over days -5 to -3. Territoriality, which is most pronounced during the female's fertile period, may enable the male to guard his partner while simultaneously foraging to provide her with food.

Title:
Copulation and Mate Guarding in the Yellow-Billed Magpie Pica Nuttalli and a Comparison With the Black-Billed Magpie P. Pica
Article Type:
Research Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1163/156853992X00462
Language:
English
Pages:
110–130
In:
Behaviour
In:
Volume 121: Issue 1-2
Publisher:
Brill
E-ISSN:
1568-539X
Print ISSN:
0005-7959
Subjects:
Biology & Environmental Sciences, Biology

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