Search results for "alarm communication"

Asymmetrical interspecific communication of predatory threat in mixed-species colonies of lesser kestrels (Falco naumanni) and jackdaws (Corvus moned…

2019

Sympatric species derive benefits by attending to information conveyed by heterospecifics. Our previous finding of reduced vigilance among jackdaws and lesser kestrels residing in mixed-species colonies suggested a reliance on interspecific communication of information regarding predatory threats. To test for interspecific communication of threat, we first determined whether jackdaw and lesser kestrel call structure varied with perceived threat. In this call production phase of our study, free-living birds in mixed-species colonies were presented with models representing a potential nest predator (European magpie) or with non-threatening stimuli (wood pigeon or wooden dowel) in proximity to…

Asymmetrical interspecific communication in avian mixed species colonies

Sympatric species derive benefits by attending to information conveyed by heterospecifics. We previously reported reduced vigilance among jackdaws (Corvus monedula) and lesser kestrels (Falco numanni) residing in mixed species colonies and conducted the present study to test for interspecific communication of threat associated with European magpies (Pica pica) as nest predators. After quantifying structural differences in jackdaw and lesser kestrel calls relative to European magpie versus non-predator models, we played back calls of jackdaws and lesser kestrels representative of the different model types to test whether receivers perceive threat-related variation in either conspecific or he…