Residency in white-eared hummingbirds (Hylocharis leucotis) and its effect in territorial contest resolution.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Territory owners usually defeat intruders. One explanation for this observation is the uncorrelated asymmetry hypothesis which argues that contests might be settled by an arbitrary convention such as "owners win." We studied the effect of territorial residency on contest asymmetries in the white-eared hummingbird (Hylocharis leucotis) in a fir forest from central Mexico.

Methods

Twenty white-eared male adult hummingbird territories were monitored during a winter season, recording the territorial behavior of the resident against intruding hummingbirds. The size and quality of the territory were related to the probability that the resident would allow the use of flowers by the intruder. Various generalized models (logistical models) were generated to describe

SUBMITTER: Mendiola-Islas V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5075688 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature