The influence of different pigment-based ornamental plumage on pairing and reproductive success of male American redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla)

I studied the mating and reproductive success of American redstart ( Setophaga ruticilla) males to determine if the expression of melaninand carotenoid based plumage influenced their ability to attract social mates or their reproductive success. I found that the expression of ornamental patches of melanin- and carotenoid-based pigmentation was unrelated within an individual. Melanin pigmentation was an important predictor of pairing success; males that successfully attracted a social mate had significantly smaller melanin-based bibs. A component of the appearance of this ornament was also positively related to male provisioning rates. Contrary to previous studies carotenoid-based coloration was negatively related to within-pair and total reproductive success. Males that successfully sired extra-pair young had significantly darker orange carotenoid-based ornamental flank plumage than males that they cuckolded. The expression of carotenoid-based colors was also negatively correlated with male provisioning rates. These results confirm the growing recognition that different types of colored plumage may be used to assess potential social mates and extra-pair partners. In American redstarts, females appear to rely on the expression of melanin-based plumage to assess male parental care abilities and on the expression of carotenoid-based plumage to assess male genetic qualities. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).