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The Ruff is a fascinating species whose elaborate breeding behaviour has captivated ornithologists for decades. Their communal display grounds, or leks, provide an extreme example of a social system widespread in birds and other animals, in which brilliantly plumaged males seemingly compete for the attention of passing females. In this book, Johan van Rhijn explores this complex and intricate drama, both to lay bare the details of the players' private lives, and to provide a means of exploring the wider variety of wader breeding systems. Strands of evidence for all aspects of the Ruffs life, in and out of the breeding season, come together to give a thought-provoking insight into this important area of biology. Specialists and birdwatchers alike will have much to learn from this intriguing story and the insights it provides. Illustrated by Ian Willis.
"The Ruff is a fascinating species whose elaborate breeding behaviour has captivated ornithologists for decades. Their communal display grounds, or leks, provide an extreme example of a social system widespread in birds and other animals, in which brilliantly plumaged males seemingly compete for the attention of passing females. In this book, Johan van Rhijn explores this complex and intricate drama, both to lay bare the details of the players' private lives, and to provide a means of exploring the wider variety of wader breeding systems. Strands of evidence for all aspects of the Ruffs life, in and out of the breeding season, come together to give a thought-provoking insight into this important area of biology. Specialists and birdwatchers alike will have much to learn from this intriguing story and the insights it provides. Illustrated by Ian Willis."--Bloomsbury Publishing.
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From two experts on wild parrot cognition, a close look at the intelligence, social behavior, and conservation of these widely threatened birds. People form enduring emotional bonds with other animal species, such as dogs, cats, and horses. For the most part, these are domesticated animals, with one notable exception: many people form close and supportive relationships with parrots, even though these amusing and curious birds remain thoroughly wild creatures. What enables this unique group of animals to form social bonds with people, and what does this mean for their survival? In Thinking like a Parrot, Alan B. Bond and Judy Diamond look beyond much of the standard work on captive parrots to...
The Ruff is a fascinating species whose elaborate breeding behaviour has captivated ornithologists for decades. Their communal display grounds, or leks, provide an extreme example of a social system widespread in birds and other animals, in which brilliantly plumaged males seemingly compete for the attention of passing females. In this book, Johan van Rhijn explores this complex and intricate drama, both to lay bare the details of the players' private lives, and to provide a means of exploring the wider variety of wader breeding systems. Strands of evidence for all aspects of the Ruffs life, in and out of the breeding season, come together to give a thought-provoking insight into this important area of biology. Specialists and birdwatchers alike will have much to learn from this intriguing story and the insights it provides. Illustrated by Ian Willis
Commitment is at the core of social life. The social fabric is woven from promises and threats that are not always immediately advantageous to the parties involved. Many commitments, such as signing a contract, are fairly straightforward deals, in which both parties agree to give up certain options. Other commitments, such as the promise of life-long love or a threat of murder, are based on more intangible factors such as human emotions. In Evolution and the Capacity for Commitment, distinguished researchers from the fields of economics, psychology, ethology, anthropology, philosophy, medicine, and law offer a rich variety of perspectives on the nature of commitment and question whether the ...