[CT Birds] Sexing ruffs

[Chris Elphick]

I haven't seen the ruff, but telling males from females is now known to be even harder than we thought it was a few years ago.  Research by Dutch biologists, and subsequently with captive birds, has shown that there are female mimics among the male ruff population.  

Males ruffs have long been known to come in two distinct forms, that differ in alternate plumage colours and in mating tactics (these are "residents", which set up territories on leks, and "satellites" which do not).  It is also known that there is fairly simple genetic control over these two forms.  Now it turns out that there is also a rare third class, which look like females and do not engage in male displays at all (these are called "faeders").  I'm not suggest that the Westport bird is a faeder .... the debate just reminded me of these new(ish) discoveries.

To read more about the bizarre and complex word of ruff mating behaviour ... and to see pictures showing the full range of male appearances (and video of the three types of males courting) ... check out Dov Lank's web site: 

http://www.sfu.ca/biology/wildberg/ruff.html

Chris


Chris Elphick
Storrs, CT
elphick at sbcglobal.net