A test of the genetic compatibility hypothesis with tree swallows, Tachycineta bicolor

2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (7) ◽  
pp. 955-961 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colleen A Barber ◽  
Mandy J Edwards ◽  
Raleigh J Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Similarity ◽  
Hatching Success ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Tachycineta Bicolor ◽  
Tree Swallow ◽  
Tree Swallows ◽  
Genetic Compatibility ◽  
Extra Pair Paternity ◽  
Socially Monogamous ◽  
Compatibility Hypothesis

The genetic compatibility hypothesis proposes that females should mate with genetically dissimilar males whose alleles best complement their own, resulting in greater offspring heterozygosity. It predicts that genetic similarity between social pairs will be positively related to the proportion of extra-pair young within broods and negatively related to hatching success. We tested these two predictions in tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot, 1808)) pairs (n = 72). Tree swallows have one of the highest rates of extra-pair paternity among socially monogamous passerines. Contrary to expectation, genetic similarity of a social pair, as measured by the band-sharing coefficient (estimated from multilocus DNA fingerprints), tended to be negatively related to the proportion of extra-pair young within broods, but failed to predict hatching success. When including only the subset of nests for which we had complete genotyping data (n = 37), we again found a significant negative relationship between genetic similarity and the proportion of extra-pair young within broods. Genetic similarity did not differ significantly between nests with and without extra-pair young, nor did it differ between nests with total versus partial hatching success. Overall, our data do not support the genetic compatibility hypothesis in tree swallows, and in fact show some evidence against it.

scholarly journals Diet of the Nestling Tree Swallow

The Condor ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 106 (2) ◽  
pp. 423-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean M. Mengelkoch ◽  
Gerald J. Niemi ◽  
Ronald R. Regal
Keyword(s):  
Open Water ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Tachycineta Bicolor ◽  
Tree Swallow ◽  
Tree Swallows ◽  
Larval Stages ◽  
Terrestrial Origin ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Foraging Radius

Abstract Dietary samples from nestling Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) in northwestern Minnesota were compared to invertebrate availability as measured by aerial tow nets. The majority of the biomass in the nestlings' diet was adult insects with larval stages of aquatic origin, while absolute numbers of insects of both aquatic and terrestrial origin were similar. Orders of invertebrates in the diet and available were similar in number but not in biomass. Diet showed little variation by time of day, date of sampling or the age of the nestling. The mean number of odonates in the nestling Tree Swallows' diet increased exponentially as the percentage of open water and open water + cattail marsh increased within a 400-m foraging radius. Dieta de los Pichones de Tachycineta bicolor Resumen. Se compararon muestras dietarias de pichones de la golondrina Tachycineta bicolor tomadas en el noroeste de Minnesota con la disponibilidad de invertebrados medida con redes aéreas. La mayor parte de la biomasa en la dieta de los pichones correspondió a insectos adultos con estadíos larvales de origen acuá tico, mientras que los números absolutos de insectos de origen acuático y no acuático fueron similares. Los órdenes de invertebrados presentes en la dieta y disponibles en el ambiente fueron similares en números pero no en biomasa. La dieta mostró poca variación entre horas del día, fechas de muestreo o edad de los pichones. El número promedio de odonatos en la dieta de los pichones de T. bicolor aumentó exponencialmente a medida que se incrementó el porcentaje de agua abierta y de agua abierta + pantanos de espadañas dentro de un radio de forrajeo de 400 m.

Extra-pair paternity and the reproductive role of male floaters in the tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)

2001 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 251-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bart Kempenaers ◽  
Susie Everding ◽  
Cheryl Bishop ◽  
Peter Boag ◽  
Raleigh J. Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Tachycineta Bicolor ◽  
Tree Swallow ◽  
Extra Pair Paternity

High levels of extra-pair paternity in an isolated, low-density, island population of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor)

2001 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1301-1308 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. F. Conrad ◽  
P. V. Johnston ◽  
C. Crossman ◽  
B. Kempenaers ◽  
R. J. Robertson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tachycineta Bicolor ◽  
Island Population ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Tree Swallows ◽  
Extra Pair Paternity

scholarly journals Female Responses to Intraspecific Brood Parasitism in the Tree Swallow

The Condor ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 166-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda A. Whittingham ◽  
Peter O. Dunn
Keyword(s):  
Brood Parasitism ◽  
Tachycineta Bicolor ◽  
Tree Swallow ◽  
Laying Date ◽  
Tree Swallows ◽  
Nest Cavity ◽  
Intraspecific Brood Parasitism ◽  
Nest Desertion ◽  
Indirect Consequence ◽  
Female Responses

Abstract We studied female responses to experimental intraspecific brood parasitism (IBP), or egg-dumping, in Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor). Unlike other species of swallows, Tree Swallow nests are rarely parasitized by conspecifics. We experimentally parasitized nests of Tree Swallows to investigate how females respond to uncertain maternity. Host females accepted a parasitic egg if it was added to the nest within 3 days of the host's first egg (62%). In contrast, the host female buried the parasitic egg (24%) or deserted the nest (14%) when the parasitic egg was added 4 or more days before the host's first egg. The acceptance of parasitic eggs close to the host's own laying date is similar to the behavior reported for other species; however, egg burial and nest desertion appear to be rare as responses to intraspecific brood parasitism. We suggest that the low level of IBP in Tree Swallows has evolved as an indirect consequence of females defending their nest cavity against usurpation.

Does experimentally altered plumage brightness influence extra-pair mating success in female Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor)?

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-61
Author(s):  
Lisha L. Berzins ◽  
Russell D. Dawson
Keyword(s):  
Mating Success ◽  
Tachycineta Bicolor ◽  
Competitive Interactions ◽  
Tree Swallows ◽  
Extra Pair Paternity ◽  
Female Tree ◽  
Pair Mating ◽  
And Function ◽  
Ornamental Traits ◽  
Extra Pair Mating

Recent empirical evidence suggests that ornamental traits displayed by female birds may reflect aspects of their quality, and function during competitive interactions and (or) social mate attraction; however, less is known about how such traits influence extra-pair paternity. In Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot, 1808)), plumage brightness of females signals their quality and may be related to extra-pair paternity if it enables them to invade the territories of other females to seek extra-pair copulations and (or) if potential extra-pair mates perceive their plumage brightness as attractive. Therefore, to examine whether the plumage brightness displayed by females influence rates of extra-pair paternity and the number of sires per brood, we experimentally enhanced and reduced the plumage brightness of females relative to controls. Our results showed that plumage brightness treatment of the female did not influence the number of extra-pair offspring in nests or the likelihood of a brood containing extra-pair offspring. Additionally, the number of extra-pair males siring offspring within the broods of females did not differ by plumage brightness treatment. Although extra-pair paternity has been shown to be beneficial for female Tree Swallows, our results suggest that plumage brightness of females does not influence their ability to engage in extra-pair mating.

Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) foraging responses to agricultural land use and abundance of insect prey

2016 ◽  
Vol 94 (9) ◽  
pp. 637-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.L. Stanton ◽  
C.A. Morrissey ◽  
R.G. Clark
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Tachycineta Bicolor ◽  
Tree Swallow ◽  
Agricultural Land Use ◽  
Tree Swallows ◽  
Rfid Technology ◽  
Insect Abundance ◽  
Insect Prey

Throughout North America, many species of aerial insectivorous birds have exhibited steep declines. The timing of these declines coincides with changes in agriculture, perhaps signaling a causal link. Increased agrochemical use, wetland drainage, and cropping intensity may indirectly influence insectivores by reducing the abundance of insect prey. Our objective was to determine whether changes in insect abundance and biomass on agricultural landscapes in the Canadian Prairies influence the foraging behaviour of breeding Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot, 1808)). Swallows were studied at five sites with varying levels of agricultural intensity in Saskatchewan, where insect abundance and biomass were monitored daily with passive aerial samplers. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology was employed at Tree Swallow nest boxes to investigate adult foraging behaviour. Foraging rates (number of nest visits/h) were slightly higher on agricultural sites than at grassland sites, and were positively related to daily insect biomass and nestling age. Tree Swallows, especially males, breeding at agricultural sites spent more time away from the nest box, presumably foraging, resulting in reduced nest attentiveness. RFID technology provides an effective technique to measure behaviour in birds and these findings suggest mechanisms by which prey abundance and agricultural land use may affect declining aerial insectivorous bird populations.

Size, condition, and territory ownership in male tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor)

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 330-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
George A. Lozano
Keyword(s):  
Dry Mass ◽  
Nutritional Condition ◽  
Tachycineta Bicolor ◽  
Tree Swallow ◽  
Tree Swallows ◽  
Resource Holding Potential ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Male Tree ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
Size Condition

Male tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) territory owners and floaters were compared in terms of size and nutritional condition to test the resource holding potential hypothesis. Owners were larger than floaters when compared using six morphological measurements. There were no differences in dry mass, ash, or fat content, but territory owners were heavier and had larger protein reserves than floaters. Territory owners may be those individuals who win intrasexual conflicts for the possession of nest boxes, or those who, because of their better nutritional condition, can arrive at the breeding grounds earlier to secure a territory.

Molt patterns in the tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (7) ◽  
pp. 1468-1472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bridget J. Stutchbury ◽  
Sievert Rohwer
Keyword(s):  
Tachycineta Bicolor ◽  
Tree Swallow ◽  
Museum Specimens ◽  
Tree Swallows ◽  
Wintering Grounds ◽  
Eastern Population ◽  
Flight Feather ◽  
Main Period ◽  
Northern Winter ◽  
Feather Molt

The pattern and timing of molt was examined in 386 museum specimens of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor). The primaries were the first flight feathers to begin molt, with the secondaries and rectrices beginning soon after. Body molt began with the back, breast, and belly; the crown, chin, and rump regions were the last to molt. Flight feather molt began in mid-July and was completed by November. Birds from western populations began molt of the primaries later than birds from eastern populations. Birds in juvenal plumage had a complete molt of the primaries, secondaries, and rectrices, and in the eastern population tended to begin molting later than adults. Body molt took place primarily from mid-July through late October; however, from February to April, 34% (21/64) of birds sampled were actively molting chin feathers, and 5% (3/64) were molting crown feathers. The main period of molt (mid-July to mid-November) coincides with fall migration, and there was no evidence for interrupted molt during this time. A comparison of North American swallows suggests that species with northern winter ranges may be constrained to complete molt before winter, whereas species with more southern winter ranges have a protracted molt that is completed on the wintering grounds.

Local weather and regional climate influence breeding dynamics of Mountain Bluebirds (Sialia currucoides) and Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor): a 35-year study

2017 ◽  
Vol 95 (4) ◽  
pp. 271-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.L. McArthur ◽  
A.E. McKellar ◽  
N.J. Flood ◽  
M.W. Reudink
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Tachycineta Bicolor ◽  
Tree Swallow ◽  
Tree Swallows ◽  
Science Data ◽  
Sialia Currucoides ◽  
Mountain Bluebirds ◽  
Local Weather

Many songbirds are under increasing pressure owing to habitat loss, land-use changes, and rapidly changing climatic conditions. Using citizen science data collected from 1980 to 2014, we asked how local weather and regional climate influenced the breeding dynamics of Mountain Bluebirds (Sialia currucoides (Bechstein, 1798)) and Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot, 1808)). Mountain Bluebird reproduction was strongly associated with local weather: number of nestlings and fledglings both decreased in years of high rainfall. Clutch size and number of fledglings also declined over the study period. Abundance of Mountain Bluebirds was higher in years of lower early-season snowfall and warmer local temperatures, as well as more negative Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) values, indicating a positive influence of El Niño conditions. Tree Swallow reproduction (clutch size, number of nestlings, and number of fledglings) was negatively associated with SOI values, and the number of Tree Swallow nestlings decreased in years of higher rainfall and warmer temperatures. Tree Swallows also showed a marked decline in abundance over the period of the study, consistent with recent range-wide declines. Together, our results demonstrate that local weather and regional climate differentially affect the reproductive dynamics of Mountain Bluebirds and Tree Swallows and highlight the importance of long-term citizen science data sets.

scholarly journals Occurrence of anthropogenic litter in nestling Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor)

2020 ◽  
Vol 133 (4) ◽  
pp. 305-308
Author(s):  
Stephanie Walsh ◽  
Jennifer Haughton ◽  
Lee Bellan ◽  
Isabelle Gosselin ◽  
Amy Festarini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tachycineta Bicolor ◽  
Tree Swallow ◽  
Tree Swallows ◽  
Strontium 90 ◽  
Harmful Substances ◽  
Mollusc Shells

While undertaking a study of the effects of strontium-90 on Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) near Chalk River, Ontario, we noticed the presence of anthropogenic litter (pieces of metal, glass, and plastic, and paper, plastic, and foil wrappers, >1 mm in size) in the nestlings. Although combustible litter (pieces of plastic and wrappers) were not quantified before the nestlings were incinerated in 2014 and 2015, gizzards were dissected in 2016. Litter (>1 mm diameter) was found in 30% of the 74 nestlings examined. This material is most likely provided to nestlings, along with food (insects) and natural grit (sand, stones, and mollusc shells), which we also found, by parent birds; however, it could lead to internal injuries and/or harmful substances being absorbed by the young birds.

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