Avian distraction displays: a review

Abstract

Distraction displays are conspicuous behaviours functioning to distract a predator's attention away from the displayer's nest or young, thereby reducing the chance of offspring being discovered and predated. Distraction is one of the riskier parental care tactics, as its success derives from the displaying parent becoming the focus of a predator's attention. Such displays are prominent in birds, primarily shorebirds, but the last comprehensive review of distraction was in 1984. Our review aims to provide an updated synthesis of what is known about distraction displays in birds, and to open up new areas of study by highlighting some of the key avenues to explore and the broadened ecological perspectives that could be adopted in future research. We begin by drawing attention to the flexibility of form that distraction displays can take and providing an overview of the different avian taxa known to use anti‐predator distraction displays, also examining species‐specific sex differences in use. We then explore the adaptive value and evolution of distraction displays, before considering the variation seen in the timing of their use over a reproductive cycle. An evaluation of the efficacy of distraction compared with alternative anti‐predator tactics is then conducted via a cost–benefit analysis. Distraction displays are also found in a handful of non‐avian taxa, and we briefly consider these unusual cases. We conclude by postulating why distraction is primarily an avian behaviour and set out our suggestions for future research into the evolution and ecology of avian distraction displays.

Bear presence attracts avian predators but does not impact lesser snow goose daily nest attendance

“…parent geese). Conversely, many Arctic shorebird species will leave their nest and perform distraction displays to lure predators away (Smith et al 2012, Humphreys and Ruxton 2020) and shorebirds have evolved camouflaged eggs which reduces nest discovery in the absence of attendant parents (Skrade and Dinsmore 2013). However, snow geese with conspicuously white eggs must account for other predators with varying foraging patterns when leaving their nest, and this strategy would put nests at greater risk to associated avian predators with an aerial vantage point who can quickly cue in on unguarded nests (Opermanis 2004).…”

Beyond habitat: effects of conspecific and heterospecific aggregation on the spatial structure of a wetland nesting bird community

“…The second group, referred to here as ‘cryptic breeders' (Supporting information), includes all remaining species that do not use aggressiveness as a major anti‐predator tactic. Instead, they apply many behavioral alternatives, from discreetly leaving the nest or remaining motionless and cryptic on the nest to a distraction display before the predator approaches the nest (Gochfeld 1984, Caro 2005, Humphreys and Ruxton 2020). The species were sorted into the groups on the basis of published knowledge (Cramp 1977, 1985, Larsen and Moldsvor 1992) that was verified by our own field observations.…”

Breeding biology of Saunders’s tern (Sterna saundersi) in the Farasan Islands, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

“…Several studies have shown that predation pressure can affect the choice of nest location ( Martin, 1993 , Mainwaring et al, 2014 , Barros et al, 2016 ), optimum clutch size ( Martin, 1995 , Dillon and Conway, 2018 ), and different features of breeding behavior ( Martin et al, 2000 , Martin and Chalambor, 2002 ). Predation can result in adaptive shifts in prey ecology and behavior; prey is prone to display techniques like selection of different habitat or behavioral responses to decrease the threat of predation ( Caraco et al, 1980 , Orians and Wittenberger, 1991 , Smith and Edwards, 2018 , Humphreys and Ruxton, 2020 ). Ground-nesting birds in particular show other behavioral tactics to avoid nest predation, for instance, nest defense ( Brunton, 1999 , Hernandez-Matias et al, 2003 ), differences in nest spacing ( Larivière and Messier, 1998 ), lower nest accessibility ( Jobin and Picman, 1997 ), hiding of nest sites ( Clark and Nudds, 1991 , Wilson-Aggarwal et al, 2016 , Gómez-Serrano and López-López, 2017 ), and misleading behaviors, such as broken-wing displays ( Gómez-Serrano and López-López, 2017 , Smith and Edwards, 2018 ).…”