Mate Guarding in a Population of White-Fronted Chats, Ephthianura-Albifrons Jardine and Selby (Passeriformes, Ephthianuridae) - a Response to Group Living and a Male-Skewed Sex-Ratio

Abstract

Mate-guarding behaviour and three attributes considered to affect its intensity (nesting dispersion, territoriality and sex ratio) were studied in a population of white-fronted chats. All-purpose territories were not defended and there was a tendency for nests to be clustered. A 1.7:1 male-skewed sex ratio was evident, with males accounting for 83% of birds in flocks during the breeding season. Paired males followed their mates prior to and during nest building, and attacked other males that approached their mates. Males copulated with dummy females which they defended from dummy and live males. Mate guarding protects males from cuckoldry and perhaps prevents loss of females to other males during a breeding season characterised by multiple broods.