AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Visual systems and vigilance behaviour of two ground-foraging avian prey species: white-crowned sparrows and California towhees

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2011
Authors:Fern, Gall, MD, Dolan, T, O'Rourke, C, Thomas, S, Lynch, JR
Journal:Animal Behaviour
Volume:81
Issue:4
Date Published:2011
ISBN Number:0003-3472
Keywords:binocular vision, Emberizidae, foraging, fovea, Melozone, Melozone crissalis, predation, retinal topography, scanning, vigilance, visual field, Zonotrichia, Zonotrichia leucophrys
Abstract:Predator-prey interactions are regulated by the ability of individuals to detect, and then approach or avoid, each other. In visually guided organisms, the prevalent view is that predators have large binocular visual fields and high acuity, whereas prey have wide lateral areas and low acuity, which could affect vigilance behaviour. We characterized the configuration of the visual system (visual fields, retinal topography, visual acuity) and vigilance behaviour (head movement rate) of two ground-foraging avian prey (white-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys, California towhee, Pipilo crissalis) with laterally placed eyes. We found that the binocular field of both species (45
URL:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003347210004574
Short Title:Animal Behaviour
Taxonomic name: 
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith