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How did sexual selection lead to the evolution of elaborate courtship displays? And how do females select their mates on the basis of these displays? Male courtship and female choice are the two key factors determining reproductive success – no copulation, no offspring. We are studying the proximate and ultimate causes of courtship displays in the field and in the laboratory.
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Many migratory species adopt a stop-and-go strategy: long distance flights are alternated to stopovers, during which birds rest and refuel. We are studying how hormones and food regulate stopover duration in response to physiological conditions. Our aim is to understand how stopover decisions are made, i.e. how bird know when to stay and when to go.
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Birds defend territories from intruders to protect resources such as food or mates. Territorial behaviour can be particularly intense during breeding, when males have elevated levels of testosterone. Our research focuses on species that defend their territories outside the breeding season, when the relationships between hormones and territoriality are less clear.
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The Ponza Research Station is located on the island of Ponza in the Thyrrenian Sea, about 20 nautical miles (37 km) from the Western coast of central Italy. Researchers at the station focus on bird migration. The station operates in close connection with the Ponza Ringing Station, where traditional bird ringing and monitoring acivities are carried out. There is a bi-directional flow between the Research and Ringing programmes, in that the researchers profit from the large mist-nets setup of the Ringing Station which provides very large numbers of birds throughout the migratory season, whereas the Ringing Station receives financial support from the research programmes and provides a stimulating environment for bird ringers who whis to see their work contributing to scientific advances.]]>
