Trading sex for food? Food availability and copulation behaviour in Lesser Grey Shrikes

【摘要】：正 The frequency and timing of copulations are necessary for understanding mating strategies and the mechanisms of sperm competition. Food availability may influence copulation behaviour, for example by offering males more opportunities for courtship feeding, or by making females less sensitive to male coercion. Here, we examine the effect of surplus food on copulation behaviour in the Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor), using both observational (natural outburst of a prey insect) and experimental data (short-term surplus food experiment).