Courtship Feeding Calls in Gallinaceous Birds

Abstract

COURTSHIP feeding is widespread among birds and has presumably evolved independently from different origins (Lack, 1940, Johnston, 1962). Lack and Johnston reported courtship feeding in only two species of Galliformes, but Williams et al. (1968) list 12 species. This paper reports on the widespread occurrence of courtship feeding in galliforms, the nature of the display movements and calls involved, and their relationship to parental feeding behavior. Information came in part from the literature but mostly from close observation of some 60 species of galliforms in captivity at the San Diego Zoo, the Los Angeles Zoo, and the large private collection of Alfred D. Hinkle, in Alpine, California. We are grateful to Mr. Hinkle and K. C. Lint, Curator of Birds at the San Diego Zoo, for their assistance.