Birdsong bluster may dupe strange females, but it won't fool partners
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 - 19:00
in Psychology & Sociology
Male birds use their song to dupe females they have just met by pretending they are in excellent physical condition. Just as some men try to cast themselves in a better light when they approach would-be dates, so male birds in poor condition seek to portray that they are fitter than they really are. But males do not even try to deceive their long-term partners, who are able to establish the true condition of the male by their song.