Induction of incubation behaviour in male ring doves (Streptopelia risoria): a behavioural analysis

Male ring doves (Streptopelia risoria) were treated with either progesterone or dexamethasone (a powerful ACTH inhibitor) and tested for incubation behaviour. Progesterone treatments shortened the latency of incubation response by facilitating nest-related pre-incubation behaviour patterns in the nest bowl and components of incubation behaviour. The accumulated rather than the daily dose level of progesterone injections appeared to be the determinant factor in mediating behavioural effects. Dexamethasone treatment at the dosage of 100 mug/day for 7 days inhibited the overall expression of male courtship behaviour. None of the dexamethasone-treated ring doves "sat" in 2 weeks. It is suggested that the hormonal and situational (non-hormonal) cues are not only important contributory factors but also complement one another in the induction of incubation behaviour.