Age Correlations within Pairs of Breeding Birds

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Abstract
I used simulation models to analyze the effect of different suites of life-history traits and mating rules on the correlation between ages of paired birds. If pair stability is high, the correlation between ages of mates may be strong even in the absence of active mate selection on the basis of age or experience. Even a low frequency of dissolved pairs substantially reduces the correlation between ages. For 9 species with known life-history traits, I simulated the extent of active mate selection required to produce the observed patterns of ages of males. In only 1 species could the pattern of ages be explained in the absence of any active mate selection on the basis of the experience of the mate. In 5 species the results suggested there was strong active selection of experienced breeders. With the exception of the Adelie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) and the Blue-eyed Shag (Phalacrocorax atriceps), observed patterns of ages of mates could be reproduced by simulation models assuming only that birds can distinguish experienced from inexperienced breeders. [Other species discussed include Megadyptes antipodes, Accipiter nisus, Larus glaucescens, L. novaehollandiae, Rissa tridactyla, Sterna paradisaea and S. striata].