Aussie Finch Forum

Hi All,

Please check out: Gouldian Finch Infidelity

Recent studies of the Gouldian Finch (Erythrura gouldiae), an endangered species and popular pet, have revealed that females readily copulate with males other than their mates in order to ensure that the young acquire the best possible genes. Read article here:
http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatbirdb ... ter-genes/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Comments and questions appreciated,

Thanks, Frank
http://twitter.com/#!/findiviglio" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000972624553" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Bio: http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatbirdb ... vian-blog/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Why am I not surprised? I am sure we have had some funny business going on both seasons...

flap wrote:Why am I not surprised? I am sure we have had some funny business going on both seasons...

Ha!...It does explain a lot; some other birds do so as well; Then there are the eclectus parrots...females remain nest-bound & dependent on males for food for most of the breeding season, so they mate with several males, none of whom can be "sure" the chicks will be his, so they all feed her!

what's really amazing to me is the internal "sperm competition"; seems to happen in many animals. I and co-workers gathered evidence of same in green anacondas, while doing field work in Venezuela..always a new surprise! Best, Frank

I recall reading about this some time ago. I wondered why the researchers felt the female's system was selecting the sperm. To me, it seemed more logical that the stronger sperm (from stronger male) were simply winning the race to the egg. I guess the original journal paper will explain.

Spose in a country as rugged as this a Plan B is always good

Well this happens in colony breeding, not knowing if the father raising the young is actually the father, know my brother had a surprise when he combined a pair of RH PB GB with BH PB GB and came out with dirty red clutch but the original father stayed and feed.

SamDavis wrote:I recall reading about this some time ago. I wondered why the researchers felt the female's system was selecting the sperm. To me, it seemed more logical that the stronger sperm (from stronger male) were simply winning the race to the egg. I guess the original journal paper will explain.

Hi, It is indeed a case pf the stronger sperm coming out ahead. I believe that because matings were at different points in time, the female played some role in storing the sperm and setting up the competition prior to fertilization; that may be why they mentioned the female as playing a part.

There is evidence that females of certain species, from insects to mammals (Eclectus Parrots, marsupials, perhaps...need to check on this) do actively influence the sex of their future offspring. Eclectus females have a different strategy - they kill male chicks during hard times; please see this article http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatbirdb ... e-females/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Best, Frank

djb78 wrote:Well this happens in colony breeding, not knowing if the father raising the young is actually the father, know my brother had a surprise when he combined a pair of RH PB GB with BH PB GB and came out with dirty red clutch but the original father stayed and feed.

jusdeb wrote:Spose in a country as rugged as this a Plan B is always good

Exactly...that's what many believe; also likely why budgies, zebra finches and others can come into breeding condition within days when rain or other favorable conditions are present, rather than seasonally. We see it with other "tough" species as well, from house mice to Red-eared Sliders, Best, Frank

djb78 wrote:Well this happens in colony breeding, not knowing if the father raising the young is actually the father, know my brother had a surprise when he combined a pair of RH PB GB with BH PB GB and came out with dirty red clutch but the original father stayed and feed.

Thanks for the feedback...with Eclectus parrots, there's an added benefit, as several males feed the same female; I've not seen much in the way of field observations on Gouldians, re this, but perhaps happens as well?

Best, Frank

"when he combined a pair of RH PB GB with BH PB GB and came out with dirty red clutch but the original father stayed and feed."
This does not necessarily mean they are crosses. It just depends on the genes the birds are carrying. A clean bird may have 2 clean or 1 clean and 1 dirty gene. As clean birds who have been kept seperate can still breed dirty. Just less common.
LML