Male Ring Dove Behavior and the Defense of Genetic Paternity

Abstract
A female ring dove can store sperm for nearly 6 days after insemination. If she loses her mate during this interval she actively solicits the parental aid of another. Yet, when males were paired with females that had recently associated with other males they exhibited more aggression and less courtship than when paired with females that had been isolated. The behavior of the male may provide, among other advantages, protection of his genetic paternity.