Effects of humidity on reproductive behavior in male and female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata).
Zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) are regarded as opportunistic breeders with reproductive behaviors mediated by short-term proximal environmental conditions. This article provides experimental evidence for the role of humidity in reproductive behaviors. Zebra finches were subjected to experimentally manipulated high levels of relative humidity. Males gathered more nest material and sang more. Females showed no relationship between humidity and gathering nest materials, egg laying, or changes in rates of vocalization.
Cynx
J
J
Department of Psychology, Vassar College, and Field Center for Ecology and Ethology, Rockefeller University, Poughkeepsie, New York 12604-0408, USA. chaos@vassar.edu
D000818:Animals; D004531:Eggs; D005260:Female; D006813:Humidity; D008297:Male; D009425:Nesting Behavior; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D020308:Songbirds / Q000502:physiology; D014828:Vocalization, Animal