The effects of photoperiod on androgen-induced reproductive behavior in male ring doves, Streptopelia risoria.

The effect of photoperiod on reproductive behavior in male ring doves (Streptopelia risoria) was studied in androgen-injected castrates maintained under long (16L:8D) or short (86:16D) photoperiods. Behavioral recordings were made over a 2-week period during which each male was paired with a female for 6.5 hr/day. There was some indication that males held on long days display higher levels of courtship activity during the initial period following pairing, but the evidence was not conclusive. Day length had no effect upon copulatory behavior. Long-day males exhibited consistently higher levels of nest building than short-day males, indicating that photoperiod affects building through some mechanism other than changes in endogenous androgen levels.