Examined the male characteristics that most attract female pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca, Muscicapinae). Four field experiments designed to eliminate the correlation between male characteristics and territory quality showed that age, size, plumage color, and song repertoire of males were all uninfluential in female choice, and that territory quality was the single most important criterion. 
<BR>Abstract for "Female pied flycatchers choose territory quality and not male characteristics", 
<BR>Nature, Volume 323, Issue 6084 
<BR>September 1986 Pages 152-153
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