AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Dominance and anti-predator behaviour of Great Tits Parus major: a field study

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1985
Authors:DE LAET, JENNYF
Journal:Ibis
Volume:127
Issue:3
Date Published:1985
ISBN Number:1474-919X
Keywords:Accipiter, Accipiter nisus, Accipitridae, Cyanistes, Cyanistes caeruleus, Nisus, Paridae, Parus, Parus caeruleus, Parus major
Abstract:During the winter of 1981–82 the hierarchical system of free-living Great Tits Parus major that visited a feeder supplied with sunflower seeds was studied in relation to the appearance of a predator. Without a predator, dominant birds were more successful in feeding and had to wait less before feeding. A significant negative correlation was found between dominance and the sequence of initial arrival. After a Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus had flown over the feeder, a correlation was found between the birds' dominance and the sequence of their return to the feeder. This field study supports the results of an analogous investigation on anti-predator behaviour and dominance in captive Blue Tits P. caeruleus.
URL:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919X.1985.tb05079.x
Short Title:Ibis
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith