Publication Date
12-1-2010
Abstract
Cases of polygyny have been documented in eight of 21 species of the genus Dendroica. We document a case of polygyny in another member of this genus, the Golden cheeked Warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia). The first female mated with a polygynous male made two nesting attempts before successfully fledging young, while the second female made three attempts. It is unclear whether the polygynous male was the mate of the second female during her first two nesting attempts. The second nesting attempt of the first female and the third nesting attempt of the second female were 400 m apart. No other territories were located between them. Two days after the third nesting attempt of the second female fledged, we located the male and fledglings 20 m away from the second nesting attempt of the first female. The male was alternating feeding trips between nestlings in this nest and fledglings. These observations demonstrate polygyny appears to be an alternative mating strategy for Golden-cheeked Warblers, but further examination of its prevalence and selective pressures favoring it in this species are needed.
Creative Commons License
Recommended Citation
Peak, Rebecca G.; Lusk, Daniel J.; and Peppers, Jessica. D.
(2010)
"Polygyny in the Golden-Cheeked Warbler,"
Bulletin of the Texas Ornithological Society: Vol. 43:
Iss.
1, Article 10.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tos_bulletin/vol43/iss1/10