What would be the normal sequence of events for breeding?
My male Fairy Wren has achieved almost full breeding colours. I also watched him mating with several females today. It was rather funny(?) three girl were chasing him, they all wanted to be part of the action.
So what comes first? Courting, mating, nest building, egg laying? Or would they build a nest first? Can anyone tell me?
Well, fairy-wren society is very comlicated and there is still lots to learn. In my undersranding, basically the male has to cheat on all the other girls while acting like nothingis going on. So you can assume that the male has no time for courting, he just gets straight into it. I can understand the reason for your question as colonial birds, like weavers, attract a female with his nest-building skills and therefore the nest comes first. Although, I don't think this is the case for fairy-wrens.
Brandon (aka ihewman)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this with me. From what I have observed over the last days, it's his harem that calls the shots
(no comment on the cheating, would you call it that if the girls are forcing themselves on him?
)
I would also like to know, how long does it take from mating to egg laying? Because that would be as long as they have to build a nest, if they start after mating?
Last year I noticed that the No1 girl was in a hurry to finish the nest.
One of the girls might be sitting already? He started off by having 4 females, but yesterday there were only 3 following him.
M-L
Definitely a good research topic... there is a segment in "The Life of Birds" by David Attenborough where he films a family of Splendid Fairy-wrens and explains the birds' complex society. It includes the exact answer to your questions.
Brandon (aka ihewman)
Thanyou very much Brandon, I will see if I can find it. I haven't seen any of them today, they must be busy somewhere else? They mightn't want me to watch them
Here is the boy, not in full breeding colours yet, but the girls wouldn't wait
He was sitting on my roof, either observing his harem, or trying to have a rest
M-L
Here is a link to the full series of Attenborough's "Life of Birds" (over 8 hrs)
http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/the-life-of-birds/
I don't know, but you could probably find that individual segment on youtube. In fact, if you search "fairy wren society david attenborough" in youtube, the video called "Finding Partners" is the episode where the fairy wrens are featured. Saves you watching the whole series... unless of course you want to.
Brandon (aka ihewman)
Thanks to both of you Brandon & Richard
As soon as I find some time tonight, I will have a look at it.
I'm soooooo glad you cared enough to think about it and answer
I would have thought more people would be interested in a "real topic", rather than just looking at "pretty pictures"?
(But that's just me and my bl...y opinions. Don't hold it against me please)
M-L