Mating success follows duet dancing in the Java sparrow

Mutual interactions between sexes have multiple signalling functions. Duet singing in songbirds is related to mutual mate guarding, joint resource defence, and signalling commitment. Coordinated visual displays of mating pairs are thought to perform similar functions, but are less well understood. The current study evaluated mutual interactions in an Estrildid species to explore the relative importance of duet dancing and male singing in mating success of pairs in a first encounter. When Java sparrows (Lonchura oryzivora) court prospective mates, only males sing. However, both males and females perform courtship dances, often in a duet-like manner. These dances are typically terminated by female copulation solicitation displays (CSDs). In the current study, we observed higher mating success when courtship dances were mutually exchanged, and when males sang. However, the sex initiating the courtship did not affect mating success. Most females produced CSDs after duet dancing but before hearing the entire song, indicating that duet dancing played a crucial role in mating. This finding highlights an unexplored aspect of duetting behaviour in the process of mutual mate choice. These results conflict with the majority of past songbird research, which has interpreted songs as primary behavioural sexual signals

Data from: Mating success follows duet dancing in the Java sparrow

Mutual interactions between sexes have multiple signalling functions. Duet singing in songbirds is related to mutual mate guarding, joint resource defence, and signalling commitment. Coordinated visual displays of mating pairs are thought to perform similar functions, but are less well understood. The current study evaluated mutual interactions in an Estrildid species to explore the relative importance of duet dancing and male singing in mating success of pairs in a first encounter. When Java sparrows (Lonchura oryzivora) court prospective mates, only males sing. However, both males and females perform courtship dances, often in a duet-like manner. These dances are typically terminated by female copulation solicitation displays (CSDs). In the current study, we observed higher mating success when courtship dances were mutually exchanged, and when males sang. However, the sex initiating the courtship did not affect mating success. Most females produced CSDs after duet dancing but before hearing the entire song, indicating that duet dancing played a crucial role in mating. This finding highlights an unexplored aspect of duetting behaviour in the process of mutual mate choice. These results conflict with the majority of past songbird research, which has interpreted songs as primary behavioural sexual signals

Java sparrow behavioral data (dance and mating)

Java sparrow behavioral data (dance and mating

Schematic view of the Java sparrow courtship.

<p>Courtship of the Java sparrow includes male song and dancing by both sexes. (A) Songs are composed of introductory notes, sparse repetition of single notes with low amplitude, and a main song phrase that is characterised by a variety of notes. (B, C) Dance includes bill wiping and hopping. (D, E) Courtship can be initiated by either a male or a female, often followed by dance response of the partner bird. When any dance components (bill wiping or hopping) were mutually exchanged, the behaviour was considered duet dancing. The courting phase was considered to span from the start of the courtship until female CSDs or until the end of courting behaviours in cases without CSDs. Mating success was determined based on the presence of CSD, mounting and copulation that followed the courting phase.</p

Effects of behavioural interactions between paired birds on mating success (occurrence of CSD, mounting, and copulation) in all courtship episodes (A) and initial courtship episode of each pair (B).

<p>As the subject birds experienced multiple pairing tests with different partners, test order was included as an explanatory variable to control for it (A, B). As some pairs engaged in multiple courtships in a test, the order of courtship episodes was also included as an explanatory variable (A).</p

Dance development data of the Java sparrow

Name of each sheet corresponds to the table number

Data from: Early-life lessons of the courtship dance in a dance-duetting songbird, the Java sparrow

Vocal-learners, such as songbirds, must practice singing in a developmentally sensitive period to master songs. Yet, knowledge remains limited about the development of visual displays in birds, even when courtship includes well-coordinated vocalizations (songs) and body motions. The Java sparrow (Lonchura oryzivora) is a species of songbird that exhibits a courtship duet dancing exchange between the sexes, with this behaviour driving mating success. In this study, juvenile male Java sparrows were observed in captivity, showing that they repeatedly practice the courtship dance in their early life. We called it ‘practice’, as juvenile birds frequently dance towards family members or other juveniles well before sexual maturation. Based on our observation that dance motor performance increased with age, we assume that the practice is needed for motor training. In addition, it could also be important for establishing vocal-motional coordination or socialization. Older juveniles gradually became capable of singing and dancing simultaneously, and participated in duet dancing more often. We also found that repeated encounters with the same individual promote dance movement. Though our results do not show how much social experiences account for the development of dance communication, early-life dance practicing might influence future reproductive success, like song practicing does so

Early-life lessons of the courtship dance in a dance-duetting songbird, the Java sparrow

Vocal learners, such as songbirds, must practise singing in a developmentally sensitive period to master songs. Yet, knowledge remains limited about the development of visual displays in birds, even when courtship includes wellcoordinated vocalizations (songs) and body motions. The Java sparrow (Lorichura oryzivora) is a species of songbird that exhibits a courtship duet dancing exchange between the sexes, with this behaviour driving mating success. In this study, juvenile male Java sparrows were observed in captivity, showing that they repeatedly practise the courtship dance in their early life. We called it 'practice', as juvenile birds frequently dance towards family members or other juveniles well before sexual maturation. Based on our observation that dance motor performance increased with age, we propose that the practice is needed for motor learning. In addition, it could also be important for establishing vocal-motional coordination or socialization. Older juveniles gradually became capable of singing and dancing simultaneously, and participated in duet dancing more often. We also found that repeated encounters with the same individual promote dance movement. Though our results do not show how much social experiences account for the development of dance communication, early-life dance practising might influence future reproductive success, like song practising does

Data from: Early-life lessons of the courtship dance in a dance-duetting songbird, the Java sparrow

Vocal-learners, such as songbirds, must practice singing in a developmentally sensitive period to master songs. Yet, knowledge remains limited about the development of visual displays in birds, even when courtship includes well-coordinated vocalizations (songs) and body motions. The Java sparrow (Lonchura oryzivora) is a species of songbird that exhibits a courtship duet dancing exchange between the sexes, with this behaviour driving mating success. In this study, juvenile male Java sparrows were observed in captivity, showing that they repeatedly practice the courtship dance in their early life. We called it ‘practice’, as juvenile birds frequently dance towards family members or other juveniles well before sexual maturation. Based on our observation that dance motor performance increased with age, we assume that the practice is needed for motor training. In addition, it could also be important for establishing vocal-motional coordination or socialization. Older juveniles gradually became capable of singing and dancing simultaneously, and participated in duet dancing more often. We also found that repeated encounters with the same individual promote dance movement. Though our results do not show how much social experiences account for the development of dance communication, early-life dance practicing might influence future reproductive success, like song practicing does so