First observation of a brood patch on a male sunbird (Chalcomitra amethystina) (1 Viewer)

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First observation of a brood patch on a male sunbird (Chalcomitra amethystina) - Journal of Ornithology

Nest care and brooding in sunbirds (Nectariniidae) is thought to be performed exclusively by females. Here, we provide the first evidence that male sunbirds might help with brooding. During a ringing session in Hoekwil, South Africa, we observed one male Amethyst Sunbird (Chalcomitra...

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Sunbirds are a highly dichromatic clade in which males are diversely and brightly colored while females are significantly drabber (Cheke and Mann 2020). These colors are thought to be involved in sexual selection and speciation, and suggest, by inference, low investment in reproduction by males (Shawkey et al. 2017). However, many female sunbirds retain olive and yellow colors that are produced wholly or in part by carotenoid pigments that are textbook examples of sexually selected traits (Hill 1991). This leaves open the possibility that sunbird males may also choose their mates. Indeed, in sunbirds, particularly in multiple brooding species, males might gain higher benefits from high-quality female partners because males tend to breed again with the same female later in the season.