Dominance and Display Impresses the Males: Female Bobwhite Quail Are Attracted To Other Qualities in a Mate

Abstract

A study of Bobwhite Quail Colinus virginianus virginianus (Linnaeus) was conducted to determine the relationship between male-male dominance, male display ritual, and the attraction of the female to a particular male. After quantification of male dominance and display ritual, the female quail’s level of attraction to a particular male was assessed. Resulting data showed a wide variation in the relationships among dominance, display, and attraction. Findings suggest that morphological traits such as eye shape and the amount of white markings on the face rather than dominance and display are what female quail seek in a mate.