AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Central Place Food Caching: A Field Experiment with Red-Backed Shrikes (Lanius collurio L.)

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1985
Authors:Carlson, A
Journal:Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
Volume:16
Issue:4
Date Published:1985
ISBN Number:03405443
Keywords:Laniidae, Lanius, Lanius collurio, Lanius schach
Abstract:Red-backed shrikes (Lanius collurio L.) stored experimentally presented mice (Mus musculus L.) by reimpaling them on thorns of sloe bushes (Prunus spinosa L.) in the vicinity of the nest. Large mice (20 g) were stored further away from the nest than small mice (4 g), while the smallest mice (1 g) were transported directly to the nest and cut up there. Large prey required more round trips to deliver than smaller prey (4 g). Time to immobilize, load and deliver the prey and the proportion of undigestable tissue increased with prey size. Birds used stored prey as an alternative to hunting in other patches as expected from patch use models. The birds maintained a high rate of food delivery to the young by using stored mice during periods when their foraging success of natural prey was low. Several aspects of the shrike's food storing behaviour are in qualitative accord with suggestions derived from models assuming maximization of energy delivery rate.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/4599784
Short Title:Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith