Observations of certain breeding behaviors in a bilateral gynandromorph Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)

We present observations of breeding behaviors exhibited by a bilateral gynandromorph Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) in Rhode Island during June and July 2017. The individual had the black plumage of a male towhee on the left side of its body and brownish plumage of a typical female towhee...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Wilson journal of ornithology Vol. 131; no. 3; pp. 625 - 628
Main Authors Brenner, Stephen J., DaRugna, Olivia A., McWilliams, Scott R.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Fort Collins Wilson Ornithological Society 01.09.2019
Subjects
Animal behavior
Behavior
bilateral gynandromorphy
Birds
Breeding
breeding behavior
comportamiento reproductivo
Eastern Towhee
Feeding
ginandromorfo bilateral
Independence Day
Males
Ornithology
Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Plumage
SHORT COMMUNICATIONS
Singing
Rhode Island
United States > US
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Summary:We present observations of breeding behaviors exhibited by a bilateral gynandromorph Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) in Rhode Island during June and July 2017. The individual had the black plumage of a male towhee on the left side of its body and brownish plumage of a typical female towhee on the right side of its body. We observed this individual moving with, interacting with, and feeding fledged young. We also recorded the bird singing in similar locations over a 35 day observation period. This is one of the first observations of a free-living gynandromorph bird exhibiting certain breeding behaviors such as associating with another adult, singing, and feeding young.
ISSN:1559-4491
1938-5447
DOI:10.1676/18-179