Age-related differences in reproductive behaviour of male Mandarin Ducks

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Abstract
Copulations [in Aix galericulata] were most frequent during the pre-laying and laying periods. They always occurred in the water in quiet areas along the shoreline and appeared initiated by female head-pumping and mock-feeding. Copulatory behavior only infrequently resulted from social display of groups. Pre-copulatory sequences generally were short (10-15 s) and consisted of the female assuming a prone position and male head-pumping, bill-dipping and preening the female. Rapid sequences may be related to the susceptibility of Mandarins to predators. The sequences of adult males were more stereotyped than those of yearlings. The duration of pre- and post-copulation sequences and mounting was longer and contained more displays for yearlings than for adults. Sequences of yearling males became less variable and the duration of their mounting time decreased with experience. Courtship inexperience of yearling males may be in part a reason for the reduced productivity noted for anatids which breed in their 1st yr.

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