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This page lists books about lekking or arena birds or books that have sections on the subject.

The books are listed by publication date with the most recent at the top.

- Grouse
- Ruff
- Manakins
- Kakpo
- Bowerbirds
- Birds Of Paradise

The Mating Lives of Birds: Bird Courtship and Display

Bryan Bland

2012

"The Mating Lives of Birds looks at natural selection and why birds have evolved different reproduction strategies, examining territories, birdsong, displays and dealing with rivals. It also looks at different bird lifestyles, including monogamy, polygamy, polyandry, promiscuity, and communal arrangements, as well as the importance of plumage, including why males are usually brighter and how special plumage features have evolved. The Mating Lives of Birds then focuses on some of the most spectacular bird displays, including bittern ('booming', territorial and mating call); superb lyrebird (amazing tail feathers, posture display in special arena); grouse (leks, special calls, plumage features); golden eagle (pendulum flight with both male and female); cranes (dancing displays); ruddy duck (drumming noises, bubbling effects); puffins (bill colours change for breeding season); egrets (elaborate display plumes); frigatebirds (inflatable throat-pouch display), birds-of-paradise (outrageous plumage, hanging displays, vocalization); ruff (special breeding plumage, 'jousting' between males at leks) and phalaropes (role reversal, female brighter and proactive in display). This evocatively written and richly illustrated title will be an essential addition to the library of any keen birdwatcher."

The Evolution of Avian Breeding Systems

J. David Ligon

1999

"The Evolution of Avian Breeding Systems" deals with three of the most conspicuous and fascinating aspects of the reproductive biology of birds: sexual selection, parental care, and mating systems. Ever since Darwin, birds have provided much of the stimulus for study of these interrelated topics. Researchers have been fascinated by the extent of sexual dimorphism in plumage colours among avian species, and the puzzling development of flamboyant ornamentation or complex courtship displays in male birds. This book provides empirical assessments of the main theories of mate choice by females, and also includes related topics such as the role of sexual selection in speciation. Although most avian species are socially monogamous, others exhibit polygamy, cooperative and classical polyandry, or lek-promiscuity. The effects of extra pair copulations on paternity, as well as their possible effects on the evolution of mating systems are also considered. Chapters devoted to each of the major mating system summarize current thinking about the factors maintaining them. Throughout the book, theoretical discussion is illustrated with examples, drawn from work on a wide range of avian species. This is the first book to combine the themes of sexual selection, parental care, and mating systems, and to focus exclusively on birds. It will be welcomed by researchers in animal behaviour and ornithology with an interest in mating systems, as well as by graduate and advanced undergraduate students taking courses in this area. It is illustrated throughout with original line drawings."

Leks

Jacob Höglund and Rauno V. Alatalo

Princeton University Press

1995

"The evolution of leks -clusters of small territories where males congregate and display in order to attract mates- is of central issue in behavioral ecology, because of the insights it offers into female mate choice, sexual selection, and the evolution of mating systems. In the first book on the subject, Jacob Höglund and Rauno Alatalo draw together existing knowledge on two main aspects of lekking. Why do leks evolve in some species and not in others? Why do females of certain lekking species select their mates even though such behavior reaps few or no material benefits for them? In each case they emphasize the importance of understanding the selective forces that act on individuals in natural populations."

Distribution Models and the Evolution of Lekking: With Empirical Tests on the Ruff, Philomachus Pugnax

Fredrik Widemo

1995

A 40 page report.

Arena Birds: Sexual Selection and Behavior

Paul A. Johnsgard

1994

"Arena birds - those birds whose mates gather for competitive sexual display in open spaces called arenas or leks - are amoung the most beautiful birds in the world. Paul Johnsgard surveys the mating behavior of many species and groups and explains how arena birds select mates on the basis of either male dominance or female choice."

Sexual Selection, Lek And Arena Behavior, And Sexual Size Dimorphism In Birds

Robert B. Payne

American Ornithologists' Union

1984

A 52 page study.

Contents:

• Introduction
• Leks And Arenas
• Intensity Of Sexual Selection
• Male Competition And Female Choice Of Mates
• Sexual Dimorphism And Sexual Selection
• Discussion
• Summary

Ecology And Evolution Of Lek Mating Behavior In The Long-Tailed Hermit Hummingbird

F. Gary Stiles and Larry L. Wolf

American Ornithologists' Union

1979

A 78 page study.

Contents:

• Introduction
• Methods And Materials
• Leks, Territories, And Lek Behavior
• Foraging Patterns
• Temporal Patterning Of Lek Activity
• Lek Dynamics
• Discussion
• Summary

Lek Behaviour in the Golden-Headed Manakin, Pipra erythrocephala, in Trinidad (West Indies)

Alan Lill

Paul Parey

1976