The copulation behaviour of Lapwings (Vanellus vanellus) throughout the breeding season

From 1996 to 2000 43 male and 58 female Lapwings were observed from March I st until June 15th. During 79 full day observations over a total of 1109 ho urs, 767 copulations were recorded. Viewed over the whole breeding period a copulation took on average 1.7 seconds. The first matings (beginning of Ma rch) were registered eight to ten days after the arrival of the female in t he male territory; four to six days later egg laying started. The last copu lations were still being observed in early June. Matings were observed at a ll times of the day with peaks in the early morning and late afternoon. By the time the clutch was completed each female lapwing had taken part in 40 to 70 copulations. Frequent copulation may promote pair bonding. Over the c omplete incubation period the partners copulated on average two to three ti mes a day. 51.5% of copulations occured during brood relief of the male by the female. With an increasing number of brood reliefs the number of male t o female reliefs with copulations became more frequent. All in all matings took place on average every fourth brood relief. Over 133 days of observati on of an incubating fermale on only 18 days (13.5%) were no copulations at all recorded. Polygamous males kept up contact to all their mates. The copu lations finished on the hatching of the chicks. During chick leading or aft er the loss of chicks, matings started again for a second clutch. No connec tion was found between the age of a clutch and the frequency of copulations . Extra-pair copulations (EPCs) were not observed. Therefore matings during the incubation period would not appear to serve to prevent the extra-pair fertilization of a replacement or second clutch. Copulations during incubat ion time seem to be unnecessary to stimulate follicle growth and the germ g landular for a second clutch, because even after several weeks of abstentio n, an ovulation could be provoked within a few days. Copulations during the breeding period are obviously not connected to their regular function of f ertilization. The very large number of copulations may have a communicative function stimulating turn-taking at brooding and helping to stabilize the pair bond, with a positive effect on the breeding success.