A 'supergene' underlies genetic differences sexual behaviour in male ruff

The ruff is a Eurasian shorebird that has a spectacular lekking behaviour where highly ornamented males compete for females. Now two groups report that males with alternative reproductive strategies carry a chromosomal rearrangement that has been maintained as a balanced genetic polymorphism for about 4 million years.

The two studies, one led by scientists at Uppsala university, are published today in Nature Genetics.
Three different types of ruff males occur at the leks of this species. 'Independent' males show colourful ruffs and head tufts and fight vigorously for territories. 'Satellite' males are slightly smaller than Independents, do not defend territories and have white ruffs and head tufts. 'Faeder' males mimic females by their small size and lack of ornamental feathers, they do not defend territory.

Lees meer: Biology News Net

A poor start in life creates differences in eating behavior modeled in starlings

A Newcastle University study has shown that baby birds that have a difficult start in life grow to be fatter and greedier than their more fortunate siblings.

The researchers, led by Professor Melissa Bateson and Dr Clare Andrews, discovered that stress and difficulties as a chick made a long lasting impression on a starling's relationship with food.

The study, published in the journal Animal Behaviour and funded by the BBSRC, showed that the smallest chicks in European starling families changed their adult feeding behaviour, resulting in a fatter body composition in the fully developed birds.

Lees meer: ScienceDaily

Birds Give Up Food to Stay Close to Their Mates

When forced to choose, some songbirds prefer the company of their mates to a good meal.

Social living entails some compromise; that’s as true for birds as it is for people. Foraging in flocks often means that some birds get a little less food than they might by flying solo, but there is also safety in numbers: flocks provide better defense against predators and more eyes to watch for danger. For most, a little food for a lot of security is a worthwhile tradeoff. Some songbirds, it turns out, are willing to make even greater sacrifices for the sake of staying close to their mates.


Great tits – small songbirds with yellow, black, and white feathers – seem perfectly willing to spend time at a feeder where they can’t get any food, in order to stay close to their mates who can eat there.

Lees meer: Discover Magazine