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Abstract
Mobbing, where birds harass a predator through a combination of
vocalizations and stereotyped behaviours, is an effective anti‐predator
behaviour for many species. Mobbing may be particularly important for
juveniles, as these individuals are often more vulnerable than adults.
Although the component behaviours of mobbing are often considered to be
un‐learned, there are few confirmatory data, and the developmental
trajectory of mobbing is unknown. In this study, we tested whether
conspecific or heterospecific mobbing calls initiated mobbing behaviour
in juvenile Blue Tits Cyanistes caeruleus. We located wild adult
and recently fledged juvenile Blue Tits and presented them with playback
recordings of adult conspecific (Blue Tit) and heterospecific (Great
Tit Parus major) mobbing alarm calls. Although adult birds
readily mob in response to these types of playbacks, juveniles did not
exhibit characteristic mobbing behaviour. Some juveniles did, however,
exhibit individual components of mobbing behaviour found in mobbing,
despite not producing adult‐like mobbing behaviour in response to either
conspecific or heterospecific playback. These results suggest that,
although birds might be capable of mobbing as juveniles, the
associations between the non‐vocal stereotyped mobbing behaviours and
mobbing calls may be learned.
Original language | English |
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Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Ibis |
Volume | Early View |
Early online date | 26 Jun 2019 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 26 Jun 2019 |
Keywords
- Alarm calls
- Anti-predator behaviour
- Blue Tits
- Cyanistes caeruleus
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Dive into the research topics of 'Wild fledgling tits do not mob in response to conspecific or heterospecific mobbing calls'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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Vocal and Social Learning of Avian Calls: Vocal and social learning of avian calls
Templeton, C. N. (PI)
1/09/12 → 31/08/15
Project: Fellowship