Observations of certain breeding behaviors in a bilateral gynandromorph Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

9-1-2019

Abstract

We present observations of breeding behaviors exhibited by a bilateral gynandromorph Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) in Rhode Island during June and July 2017. The individual had the black plumage of a male towhee on the left side of its body and brownish plumage of a typical female towhee on the right side of its body. We observed this individual moving with, interacting with, and feeding fledged young. We also recorded the bird singing in similar locations over a 35 day observation period. This is one of the first observations of a free-living gynandromorph bird exhibiting certain breeding behaviors such as associating with another adult, singing, and feeding young.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Wilson Journal of Ornithology

Volume

131

Issue

3

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