Food and sex: ecological and sexual roles of a functional ornament, the red bill of the sooty oystercatcher

对于装饰品在两性都有同样装饰品的物种中的重要性，人们知之甚少。以烟熏捕蚝为模型，以一种新颖的综合方法，我将研究它们鲜红的喙作为配偶质量的信号的作用，以及嘴和饮食中性别差异的后果。尽管性饮食专业化很常见，但很少有研究研究它的作用。煤烟捕牡蛎是澳大利亚仅有的七种涉水鸟类之一，也是我们最明显的海岸鸟类之一。由于它们的生活史在很大程度上是未知的，除了学术上的好处，这个项目还将提供关于这种当地常见但正在衰落的物种的繁殖和觅食需求的有价值的信息。

Little is understood about the significance of ornaments in species where both sexes are equally ornamented. Using sooty oystercatchers as a model, in a novel integrative approach I will investigate the role of their bright red bill as a signal of mate qualities, as well as the consequences of sex differences in bill and diet. Although sexual diet specialisation is common, few studies have examined its function. Sooty oystercatchers are one of only seven waders to breed in Australia and one of our most visible coastal birds. Since their life history is largely unknown, aside from the academic benefits, this project will also yield valuable information on breeding and foraging requirements of this locally common but declining species.