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Adams CB, Papeş M, Price CA, Freeberg TM. Influence of social and physical environmental variation on antipredator behavior in mixed-species parid flocks. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0295910. [PMID: 38128009 PMCID: PMC10735029 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Carolina chickadees (Poecile carolinensis) and tufted titmice (Baeolophus bicolor) regularly form flocks with multiple species through the winter months, including white-breasted nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis). Earlier studies found that behavior of both chickadees and titmice was sensitive to mixed-species flock composition. Little is known about the influence of background noise level and vegetation density on the antipredator behaviors of individuals within these flocks, however. We tested for the effects of vegetation density, traffic noise, and flock composition (conspecific number, flock diversity, and flock size) on antipredator behavioral responses following an alarm call playback (Study 1) and an owl model presentation (Study 2) at feeders. We recorded background traffic noise and performed lidar scans to quantify vegetation density at each site. After a feeder had been stocked with seed and a flock was present, we recorded calls produced, and we identified flock composition metrics. We coded seed-taking latency, call latency, mob latency, and mob duration following the respective stimulus presentation and tested for effects of flock composition metrics, vegetation density, and background noise on these responses. For the alarm call playback study, flock composition drove behaviors in chickadees and titmice, and vegetation density drove behaviors in chickadees and nuthatches. For the owl model study, conspecific number predicted behavior in chickadees, and mob duration was predicted by nuthatch number. The results reveal individual sensitivity to group composition in anti-predatory and foraging behavior in simulated risky contexts. Additionally, our data suggest that the modality of perceived simulated risk (acoustic vs. visual) and the density of vegetation influence behavior in these groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colton B. Adams
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States of America
- Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States of America
| | - Monica Papeş
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States of America
- National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States of America
| | - Charles A. Price
- National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States of America
| | - Todd M. Freeberg
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States of America
- Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States of America
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Chou TL, Krishna A, Fossesca M, Desai A, Goldberg J, Jones S, Stephens M, Basile BM, Gall MD. Interspecific differences in the effects of masking and distraction on anti-predator behavior in suburban anthropogenic noise. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290330. [PMID: 37594981 PMCID: PMC10437853 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Predation is a common threat to animal survival. The detection of predators or anti-predator communication signals can be disrupted by anthropogenic noise; however, the mechanism by which responses are affected is unclear. Masking and distraction are the two hypotheses that have emerged as likely explanations for changes in behavior in noise. Masking occurs when the signal and noise fall within the same sensory domain; noise overlapping the energy in the signal reduces signal detection. Distraction can occur when noise in any sensory domain contributes to a greater cognitive load, thereby reducing signal detection. Here, we used a repeated measures field experiment to determine the relative contributions of masking and distraction in mediating reduced anti-predator responses in noise. We recorded the approaches and vocalizations of black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus), tufted titmice (Baeolophus bicolor), and white-breasted nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis) to both visual and acoustic cues of predator presence, either with or without simultaneous exposure to anthropogenic noise. Titmice increased their calling to both visual and acoustic cues of predator presence. However, there was no significant effect of noise on the calling responses of titmice regardless of stimulus modality. Noise appeared to produce a distraction effect in chickadees; however, this effect was small, suggesting that chickadees may be relatively unaffected by low levels of anthropogenic noise in suburban environments. White-breasted nuthatch calling behavior was affected by the interaction of the modality of the predator stimulus and the noise condition. Nuthatches had a delayed response to the predator presentations, with a greater calling rate following the presentation of the acoustic stimulus in quiet compared to the presentation of the acoustic stimulus in noise. However, there was no difference in calling rate between the quiet and noise conditions for the visual stimulus. Together this suggests that even moderate levels of noise have some masking effect for white-breasted nuthatches. We suggest that the mechanisms through which noise influences anti-predator behavior may depend on the social roles, foraging ecology and auditory capabilities of each species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trina L. Chou
- Neuroscience and Behavior Program, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY, United States of America
| | - Anjali Krishna
- Biology Department, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY, United States of America
| | - Mark Fossesca
- Neuroscience and Behavior Program, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY, United States of America
| | - Avani Desai
- Biology Department, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY, United States of America
| | - Julia Goldberg
- Biology Department, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY, United States of America
| | - Sophie Jones
- Biology Department, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY, United States of America
| | - Morgan Stephens
- Biology Department, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY, United States of America
| | - Benjamin M. Basile
- Department of Psychology, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA, United States of America
| | - Megan D. Gall
- Neuroscience and Behavior Program, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY, United States of America
- Biology Department, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY, United States of America
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Wang Y, Tian M, Liu J, Lu X, Møller AP, Xia C. Testing the Interspecific Function of Female Common Cuckoo “Bubbling” Call. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.725222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Female common cuckoo (Cuculus canorous) predator-like “bubbling” calls distract host parental attention and reduce the egg rejection rate. Such “bubbling” calls are also frequently used to attract males and deter territorial rivals in intraspecies contact, and these calls are an ancestral character in many cuckoo species. Although hosts have had sufficient time to become familiar with this call and evolve anti-parasitic strategies, why are the hosts fooled by this “bubbling” call? We propose two hypotheses. The first hypothesis proposes that call variation reduces the opportunity for host species to correctly assess cuckoo tricks. In contrast, the second hypothesis proposes that the cost of behavior may prevent the antiparasitic strategy from evolving. In the study, we tested the prerequisites of these hypotheses, by investigating whether cuckoo calls vary during the day and testing whether the predator-like calls suppress bird activities. Based on field recordings from three different areas, we found high overlap in the calls generated during different periods. Oriental great reed warblers (Acrocephalus orientalis), a host species, did not show different responses toward the playback of female common cuckoo calls generated before noon or afternoon. Based on bird count data, we found that predator-like call playback is insufficient for suppressing bird activities. Therefore, none of the prerequisites were supported by our field data. We discuss the potential reasons for our findings and hope to inspire more research examining female cuckoo vocalizations.
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Heckscher CM. Use of simple graded signals in the long-distance vocal communication of a forest thrush (Catharus fuscescens). BIOACOUSTICS 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/09524622.2021.1888316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Coppinger BA, Kania SA, Lucas JR, Sieving KE, Freeberg TM. Experimental manipulation of mixed-species flocks reveals heterospecific audience effects on calling. Anim Behav 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2020.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Gentry KE, Roche DP, Mugel SG, Lancaster ND, Sieving KE, Freeberg TM, Lucas JR. Flocking propensity by satellites, but not core members of mixed-species flocks, increases when individuals experience energetic deficits in a poor-quality foraging habitat. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0209680. [PMID: 30625186 PMCID: PMC6326460 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mixed-species bird flocks are complex social systems comprising core and satellite members. Flocking species are sensitive to habitat disturbance, but we are only beginning to understand how species-specific responses to habitat disturbance affect interspecific associations in these flocks. Here we demonstrate the effects of human-induced habitat disturbance on flocking species' behavior, demography, and individual condition within a remnant network of temperate deciduous forest patches in Indiana, USA. Specifically, we characterized the following properties of two core species, Carolina chickadees (Poecile carolinensis) and tufted titmice (Baeolophus bicolor), across a secondary-forest disturbance gradient: foraging time budgets, home range size, fat scores, fledgling counts, survival rates, and abundance. We also report fat scores for two satellite species that flock with the core study species: white-breasted nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis) and downy woodpeckers (Dryobates pubescens). Finally, we assess mixed-species flock sizes and composition, in addition to avian predator call rates, across the disturbance gradient. Foraging time budgets and home range size were highest and fat scores were lowest for core species in the most-disturbed site. Fat scores of two satellite species followed the same pattern. Additionally, the number of tufted titmice fledglings and winter survival rate of Carolina chickadees were lowest at the most-disturbed site. These results suggest that core species in the most-disturbed site experienced energetic deficits. Moreover, cumulative calling rate of raptors was lowest at the most-disturbed site, and none of the individual raptor species call rates were higher at the most-disturbed site-suggesting that perception of predation risk does not contribute to these patterns. Surprisingly, the satellites continued associating with mixed species flocks through the breeding season at the most-disturbed site. Total flock size and interspecific association patterns were otherwise consistent across the gradient. The fact that satellites continued to flock with core species during the breeding season suggests foraging niche expansion resulting from mixed-species flocking is important in disturbed sites even beyond the winter season. Our study reveals mechanisms underlying flock composition of birds surviving in remnant forest and links the mechanisms to degradation of foraging habitat. These findings offer important insight into the relative impact potential of forest disturbance on mixed-species flocks in the North Temperate Zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E. Gentry
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Daniel P. Roche
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Stephen G. Mugel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Nolan D. Lancaster
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Kathryn E. Sieving
- Department of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Todd M. Freeberg
- Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey R. Lucas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
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Diversity in mixed species groups improves success in a novel feeder test in a wild songbird community. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43014. [PMID: 28230159 PMCID: PMC5322357 DOI: 10.1038/srep43014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Mixed-species groups are common and are thought to provide benefits to group members via enhanced food finding and antipredator abilities. These benefits could accrue due to larger group sizes in general but also to the diverse species composition in the groups. We tested these possibilities using a novel feeder test in a wild songbird community containing three species that varied in their dominant-subordinate status and in their nuclear-satellite roles: Carolina chickadees (Poecile carolinensis), tufted titmice (Baeolophus bicolor), and white-breasted nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis). We found that chickadees and titmice were more likely to obtain seed from the novel feeder with greater diversity of species composition in their mixed-species flocks. For successful chickadee flocks, furthermore, the latency to obtain seed from the novel feeder was shorter the more diverse their flocks were. These results in a natural setting indicate that diversity, per se, can benefit individuals in mixed-species groups in biologically meaningful contexts such as finding food in novel places.
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Freeberg TM, Book DL, Weiner RL. Foraging and Calling Behavior of Carolina chickadees (Poecile carolinensis) in Response to the Head Orientation of Potential Predators. Ethology 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Todd M. Freeberg
- Department of Psychology; University of Tennessee; Knoxville TN USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of Tennessee; Knoxville TN USA
| | - D. L. Book
- Department of Psychology; University of Tennessee; Knoxville TN USA
| | - Rebecca L. Weiner
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of Tennessee; Knoxville TN USA
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Book DL, Freeberg TM. Titmouse calling and foraging are affected by head and body orientation of cat predator models and possible experience with real cats. Anim Cogn 2015; 18:1155-64. [PMID: 26123081 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-015-0888-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Revised: 05/29/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Although anti-predator behavior systems have been studied in diverse taxa, less is known about how prey species detect and assess the immediate threat posed by a predator based on its behavior. In this study, we evaluated a potential cue that some species may utilize when assessing predation threat-the predator's body and head orientation. We tested the effect of this orientation cue on signaling and predation-risk-sensitive foraging of a prey species, tufted titmice (Baeolophus bicolor). Earlier work revealed sensitivity of titmice and related species to the presence of predator stimuli. Here, we manipulated cat models to face either toward or away from a food source preferred by titmice and then measured titmouse calling and seed-taking behavior. Titmice showed greater feeder avoidance when the cat predator models faced the feeder, compared to when the models faced away from the feeder or when titmice were exposed to control stimuli. Titmouse calling was also sensitive to predator head/body orientation, depending upon whether titmice were from sites where real cats had been observed or not. This study experimentally demonstrated that both calling and foraging of prey species can be affected by the head and body orientation of an important terrestrial predator. Prey species may therefore signal in strategic ways to conspecifics not just about predator presence, but also urgency of threat related to the more subtle cue of the head and body orientation of the predator. These findings hold potential implications for understanding animal cognition and learning processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- D L Book
- Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Austin Peay Building 301B, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
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Freeberg TM, Krama T, Vrublevska J, Krams I, Kullberg C. Tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) calling and risk-sensitive foraging in the face of threat. Anim Cogn 2014; 17:1341-52. [PMID: 24929843 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-014-0770-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2014] [Revised: 05/03/2014] [Accepted: 06/03/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Individuals often produce alarm or mobbing calls when they detect a threat such as a predator. Little is known about whether such calling is affected by the facial orientation of a potential threat, however. We tested for an effect of facial orientation of a potential threat on tufted titmice, Baeolophus bicolor, a songbird that uses chick-a-dee calls in a variety of social contexts. In two studies, a human observer wore an animal mask that either faced or faced away from the focal bird(s). In Study 1, focal birds were individual titmice captured in a walk-in trap, and the observer stood near the trapped bird. In Study 2, focal birds were titmouse flocks utilizing a feeding station and the observer stood near the station. In both studies, calling behavior was affected by mask orientation. In Study 2, foraging and agonistic behavior were also affected. Titmice can therefore perceive the facial orientation of a potential threat, and this perception affects different behavioral systems, including calling. Our results indicate sensitivity of titmice to the facial orientation of a potential predator in two quite different motivational contexts. This work suggests the possibility of strategic signaling by prey species depending upon the perceptual space of a detected predator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd M Freeberg
- Department of Psychology, Austin Peay Building 301B, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA,
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Goedert D, Dias RI, Macedo RH. Nestling use of alternative acoustic antipredator responses is related to immune condition and social context. Anim Behav 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Freeberg TM, Mahurin EJ. Variation in Note Composition ofChick-a-deeCalls is Associated with Signaler Flight in Carolina Chickadees,Poecile carolinensis. Ethology 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Todd M. Freeberg
- Department of Psychology and Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology; University of Tennessee; Knoxville TN USA
| | - Ellen J. Mahurin
- Department of Psychology; University of Tennessee; Knoxville TN USA
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Krams I, Krama T, Freeberg TM, Kullberg C, Lucas JR. Linking social complexity and vocal complexity: a parid perspective. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2012; 367:1879-91. [PMID: 22641826 PMCID: PMC3367703 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2011.0222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Paridae family (chickadees, tits and titmice) is an interesting avian group in that species vary in important aspects of their social structure and many species have large and complex vocal repertoires. For this reason, parids represent an important set of species for testing the social complexity hypothesis for vocal communication--the notion that as groups increase in social complexity, there is a need for increased vocal complexity. Here, we describe the hypothesis and some of the early evidence that supported the hypothesis. Next, we review literature on social complexity and on vocal complexity in parids, and describe some of the studies that have made explicit tests of the social complexity hypothesis in one parid--Carolina chickadees, Poecile carolinensis. We conclude with a discussion, primarily from a parid perspective, of the benefits and costs of grouping and of physiological factors that might mediate the relationship between social complexity and changes in signalling behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indrikis Krams
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, Tartu University, Tartu, Estonia.
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Freeberg TM. Geographic Variation in Note Composition and Use of chick-a-dee Calls of Carolina Chickadees (Poecile carolinensis). Ethology 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.2012.02042.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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