Search results for "pygmy owl"

Younger bank voles are more vulnerable to avian predation

2008

The importance of predation on prey populations is mainly determined by the number of eaten prey. However, the total impact of predation might also be determined by the selection of certain prey individuals, e.g., different sexes or age categories. Here we tested selective predation by an avian predator, the pygmy owl ( Glaucidium passerinum (L., 1758)), on bank voles ( Myodes ( Clethrionomys ) glareolus (Schreber, 1780)). We compared the sex, age, and mass of hoarded prey with the animals snap-trapped from the field. There were no differences in the sex ratio between hoarded bank voles and those available in the field. However, hoarded voles were significantly younger than ones in the fie…

Effect of Willow TitPoecile montanusalarm calls on attack rates by Pygmy OwlsGlaucidium passerinum

2013

One suggested anti-predator function of alarm calls is to deliver a message to a predator that it has been detected. Moreover, giving the alarm call could provide a signal to the predator that capturing the individual giving the alarm is more difficult than capturing its silent group members, as the caller is probably the most aware of the predator's location. In an aviary experiment using stuffed dummy Willow Tits Poecile montanus, we assessed whether an authentic alarm call given by Willow Tit affected Pygmy Owl Glaucidium passerinum prey preference. In the experiment, the Owls attacked only the ‘silent’ dummy individuals, suggesting that alarm calling could offer direct fitness benefits …

Alarm calls in action - does it pay off to help?

2008