Social transmission of courtship behavior and mating preferences in brown-headed cowbirds, Molothrus ater.

Studies of the social learning of courtship behaviors and mating preferences of brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) are reviewed. Earlier work has suggested that cowbirds from behaviorally distinct populations mate preferentially with others from the same population. Studies are described which indicate that patterns of courtship behavior that differ by population can be socially transmitted across generations are described. Social background affects male songs, female preferences for males as mates, and courtship interactions between females and males. Thus, social traditions influence mating decisions and may, ultimately, impact reproductive success in this species. Recent work on possible social mechanisms involved in the ontogeny of courtship behavior is described. The implications of these findings are discussed, and future research directions are suggested.