Pair-bond and bonding behaviour in three species of Grassfinches of the genus Poephila (Gould)

Abstract

The pair-bonds of pairs of recently caught P. a. acuticauda, P. a. hecki, P. c. cincta, P. c. atropygialis and P. p. personata were investigated; P. c. atropygialis was also studied in the field. All pairs studied except those of P.p. personata had extremely tight bonds and may mate for life. Partners maintained close and continuous proximity in space and defended an area about the mate from other conspecifics; mates rarely fought one another but continuously exchanged appeasement displays; all serious sexual activities were restricted to the partner.

Pair-formation was studied in forty aviary-reared virgins of which only sixteen were successful in forming pair-bonds during the period of detailed observation although another 20 birds displayed some indication of a unilateral bond towards another bird of the opposite sex. Early stages of courtship, nest-site solicitations and defensive reactions towards rivals characterized pair-formation behaviour. Most preferences between birds of opposite sex were unilateral and most pair-bonds were formed after protracted efforts to develop reciprocal attachments. Eleven P. p. personata attempted to pair but no pairs were formed during the period of detailed study and for one month afterwards.