#Males vs Females (1 Viewer)

K

kim ziegler

New member

• Feb 4, 2012

• #1

Curious. Up to 6 male Cardinals will be at my feeder at one time but only 2 females at the most. Has anyone info re: hatching & survival rates of males vs females?

 

Bird_Bill

Well-known member

• Feb 5, 2012

• #2

Heres a synopsis for feeder study for a number of familiar passerines.Data is somewhat surprising.I seem to observe samething as you regarding northern cardinals.Have heard it suggested that because cards are strongly dichromatic ,there is natural tendency for most vividly marked to be in greatest numbers.Cant put up reference to support that contention.

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/News/GenderGap.html

 

F

fugl

Well-known member

• Feb 5, 2012

• #3

Male cardinals are dominant over females so maybe it's just a case of the males establishing a quasi-monopoly of the feeders?

 

Tiraya

San Diego CA

• Feb 5, 2012

• #4

This is hard to judge.

In Australia there was about 1 male Superb Fairy-wren in a group of about 9-13 females. With Magpie-larks it seemed to be 2:1 males to females.

In the US I see more male warblers (I've seen 8 Yellowthroat males compared to 0 females) but thats because females are very reclusive and skulky.

I've seen many female Red-breasted Mergansers but no males, and I've seen many male Hooded Mergansers but no females....

 

K

kim ziegler

New member

• Feb 11, 2012

• #5

Interesting

TY for feedback & references!