Bib size in Great Tits (1 Viewer)

[Lordmark]

Has any one noticed dominate behavior relating the bib size of Great Tits.
The bib size varies massively from a single black stripe to a bib and under side completely black.
I'm lucky to have a private family woodland where I feed the birds.
I have noticed some dominance by Great Tits with a large bib size.
I would be interested in your finding and comments
Lordmark

 

[PYRTLE]

Has any one noticed dominate behavior relating the bib size of Great Tits.
The bib size varies massively from a single black stripe to a bib and under side completely black.
I'm lucky to have a private family woodland where I feed the birds.
I have noticed some dominance by Great Tits with a large bib size.
I would be interested in your finding and comments
Lordmark

Yes, this is a well known and researched plumage feature, particularly amongst males. Same as in House Sparrows and countless other species. The larger the bib, the more dominant the male and / or more chance of finding a mate. Females are usually restricted to the thinner black line and paler tones. Similar with the blue marks on Blue Tits.

 

[Richard D]

If you've not read it The Great Tit: Amazon.co.uk: Gosler, Andrew, Arlott, Norman: 9780600579502: Books is worth a read even if it's a few year's old

 

[Lordmark]

Yes, this is a well known and researched plumage feature, particularly amongst males. Same as in House Sparrows and countless other species. The larger the bib, the more dominant the male and / or more chance of finding a mate. Females are usually restricted to the thinner black line and paler tones. Similar with the blue marks on Blue Tits.

Thanks for this info. I did ask my contacts in the BTO but that was back in 2015 after this I was taken very ill and only returned to this project in 2021