Click to have a closer look
About this book
Related titles
About this book
This book discusses three of the most topical and fascinating aspects of the reproductive biology of birds: sexual selection, parental care, and mating systems. Ever since Darwin, researchers have been fascinated by the extent of sexual dimorphism in plumage colours among avian species, and the puzzling development of flamboyant ornamentation or complex courtship displays in male birds. This book provides a timely review of the empirical evidence.
'A comprehensive overview and an extensive bibliography.' Heredity
Customer Reviews
Out of Print
By: J David Ligon
504 pages, 79 line illus, figs, tabs
"David Ligon's book is a review of current knowledge about the factors causing variation in breeding systems in birds, strongly flavoured with historical information about the development of currently influential ideas. The book is also a review of current theories of sexual selection as they apply to birds . . . Ligon's approach is to treat different subject areas at length, reviewing classic studies and often discussing them in quite considerable detail. . . . For anyone interested in a detailed well-written summary of research in sexual selection in birds over the last 30 or so years, this book represents the best choice currently available . . . Ligon writes beautifully, if at times lengthily, and this book has very high production values. . . . [It] is much more enjoyable to read than most scientific monographs. For those wishing to be introduced to the study of sexual selection in birds, it will do an excellent job . . ."--Animal Behaviour
"Birds present what is perhaps th