Flexibility in the duration of parental care: zebra finch parents respond to offspring needs

Rehling, A., Spiller, I., Krause, E.T., Nager, R.G. , Monaghan, P. and Trillmich, F. (2012) Flexibility in the duration of parental care: zebra finch parents respond to offspring needs. Animal Behaviour, 83(1), pp. 35-39. (doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2011.10.003)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2011.10.003

Abstract

Parent–offspring conflict theory posits that parents and offspring differ in the optimal duration of parental care. Accordingly, the timing of the termination of parental care could be contested between parents and offspring. The outcome of this conflict might be related to the degree of parental sensitivity to offspring demand. By cross-fostering zebrafinch, Taeniopygia guttata, chicks of different ages among breeding pairs, we examined whether parents continue parental behaviour for a fixed time period, or are sensitive to offspring age. Parents provisioned chicks in the nest for longer when they received younger foster chicks and for less time when they received older foster chicks. All chicks fledged and became independent at the same age. Our results show that zebrafinchparents extend the period of parental care in response to protracted demands from their brood.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Monaghan, Professor Pat and Nager, Dr Ruedi
Authors: Rehling, A., Spiller, I., Krause, E.T., Nager, R.G., Monaghan, P., and Trillmich, F.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Animal Behaviour
ISSN:0003-3472
Published Online:10 November 2011

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