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Mated pair bonds are integral to many animal societies, yet how individual variation in behaviour influences their formation remains largely unknown. In a population of wild great tits (Parus major), we show that personality shapes pair bonding: proactive males formed stronger pre-breeding pair bonds by meeting their future partners sooner and increasing their relationship strength at a faster rate. As a result, proactive males sampled fewer potential mates. Thus, personality may have important implications for social relationship dynamics and emergent social structure.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/s41559-018-0670-8

Type

Journal article

Journal

Nat Ecol Evol

Publication Date

11/2018

Volume

2

Pages

1696 - 1699