Mating systems and territory in Lapwings Vanellus vanellus

• Published in: Ibis
• Main Authors: BYRKJEDAL, INGVAR, GRøNSTøL, GAUTE Bø, LISLEVAND, TERJE, PEDERSEN, KJELL MAGNE, SANDVIK, HEIDI, STALHEIM, SYNNøVE
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1997
• Subjects: Bergen; Norway; Vanellus vanellus
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919x.1997.tb04512.x; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1474-919X.1997.tb04512.x; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1474-919X.1997.tb04512.x

In a population of Lapwings Vanellus vanellus studied for 5 years near Bergen, southwester Norway, 23–41% of the males were polygynous, having two and sometimes three mates, whereas 50–77% were monogamous and 0–21% remained unmated. Bachelors held territories in or immediately adjacent to the study area each of the years. As predicted from the Polygyny Threshold model, primary females generally laid eggs earlier than monogamous females, but the overlap in laying dates was substantial between these two classes. The number of females and start of breeding on the territories were analysed in relation to nine variables pertaining to safety from predation and to food. Of these, territory size correlated most consistently with number of females (positively) and the laying of first egg (negatively). Numbers of females observed were not significantly different from numbers expected from territory size in 4 out of 5 years; however, earlier start of breeding on large territories indicated that females did not settle according to the Neutral Mate Choice model. The Female‐biased Sex Ratio hypothesis was refuted, unmated territorial males being available throughout the breeding seasons.