Breeding experience modulating androgen dependent courtship behavior in male ring doves (Streptopelia risoria).

Courtship behavior of reproductively experienced males was compared with that of age-matched inexperienced males before and after castration and during treatments with hormones (testosterone propionate and estradiol benzoate). Inexperienced males displayed significantly lower levels of nest-oriented courtship, the nest-cooing (nest-soliciting) and wingflippings; however, agonistic courtship, the bow-cooing, was not affected by breeding experience. The lower level of nest-cooing display in the inexperienced males persisted even when their circulating level of androgen as measured by RIA was no different from that of experienced males. Estrogen treatments, however, produced no group difference in levels of nest-coo display. These results were discussed in the context of hormone-behavior relationships.