1969/07/01 by Robert B. Payne · 2 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Environmental Science · #Animal Behavior and Reproduction #Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior #Avian ecology and behavior #Biology #Brood parasite #Courtship #Courtship display #Ecology #Host (biology) #Nest (protein structural motif) #Nest box #Parasitism #Passer #Seasonal breeder #Sparrow #Zoology
paper · doi:10.1111/j.1474-919x.1969.tb02546.x
openalex publication_date 1969/07/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
Summary. Chestnut Sparrows Passer eminibey near Magadi, Kenya, built no nests of their own but usurped nests newly built by Grey‐capped Social Weavers Pseudonigrita arnaudi. The sparrows laid eggs and raised their own young in the appropriated nests. The sparrows were synchronized in their breeding with the social weavers but appeared to have a slightly later peak of breeding. Breeding of the sparrows may be stimulated by the sight of breeding activity of the social weavers. Breeding occurred in May and June at the end of a rainy season. Male Chestnut Sparrows display at the nests with the wings raised. The display is given for several hours each day. Examination of nests built by the social weavers is an element of courtship display by the male sparrow. In the subfamily Passerinae there is a greater difference in the form of the courtship display between the Chestnut Sparrow and other species of Passer than between nest‐building species of Passer and other genera. The display of Chestnut Sparrows is derived from the nest‐advertisement display of nest‐building Passer. Its exaggerated form may be an adaptation related to pair formation and intrapair sexual stimulation in the absence of male nest‐building behaviour.