Biparental Care in Birds: Mechanisms Controlling Incubation Bout Duration

Abstract

The functional goal of sitting on eggs by avian parents is obviously to control the thermal environment of the developing embryo. To explore the cues controlling incubation, experimental data on the Ring Dove (Streptopelia risoria ) are reviewed. The importance of the non-incubating mate in determining the behavior of the sitting partner is discussed. The observation that responses to the mate are an important determinant of responses to the young leads to the suggestion that biparental care in Aves evolved from courtship behavior and retains elements of courtship in present forms.