Inadvertent social information in breeding site selection of natal dispersing birds

Abstract

Several species use the number of young produced as public information (PI) to assess breeding site quality. PI is inaccessible for synchronously breeding birds because nests are empty by the time the young can collect this information. We investigate if location cues are the next best source of inadvertent social information (ISI) used by young prospectors during breeding site choice. We experimentally deployed ISI as decoys and song playbacks of breeding males in suitable and sub-optimal habitats during pre-and postbreeding periods, and monitored territory establishment during the subsequent breeding season for a social, bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), and a more solitary species, Nelson's sharp-tailed sparrow (Ammodramus nelsoni ). The sparrows did not respond to treatments, but bobolinks responded strongly to post-breeding location cues, irrespective of habitat quality. The following year, 17/20 sub-optimal plots to which bobolink males were recruited were defended for at least two weeks, indicating that song heard the previous year could exert a 'carry-over attraction' effect on conspecifics the following year. Sixteen recruited males were natal dispersers, as expected when animals have little opportunity to directly sample their natal habitat quality. We suggest that differences in breeding synchronicity may induce an equivalent clinal distribution of ISI use.

Social information trumps vegetation structure in breeding-site selection by a migrant songbird

“…Though previous studies have succeeded in manipulating immigration and emigration, the actual cues used in habitat selection have remained poorly known Nocera et al 2006;Parejo et al 2007). Fledgling condition (e.g.…”

Exploring the costs and benefits of social information use: an appraisal of current experimental evidence

“…In a field experiment investigating breeding habitat choice of first-time breeding natal dispersing birds of the solitary Nelson's sharp-tailed sparrow (Ammodramus nelsoni ) and social bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), Nocera et al [46] provide strong evidence that only young inexperienced bobolinks rely on social information (location cues) provided by visual models and audio playbacks of adult males to choose a breeding habitat. Interestingly, they report that erroneous social information (i.e.…”

“…when audio playbacks and visual models were played and placed in suboptimal habitats) induces young bobolinks to settle in and even defend these suboptimal territories the following spring. Nocera et al's [46] work is compelling because of the experimental technique that was adopted: audio playback. In such a situation, the experimenter controls the quality of the social information and as a result provides a convincing demonstration of the potential effect of false social information use directly and in field conditions.…”

Evaluation of Conspecific Attraction as a Management Tool across Several Species of Anurans

“…For example, breeding season length may influence responsiveness, where species with very short breeding windows (i.e., explosive breeders) might use conspecific cues to quickly locate breeding habitat [18]. Breeding pond habitat use may also influence social information use, where species breeding in temporally or spatially unpredictable ponds might be more likely to exploit conspecific cues than those breeding in reliable water bodies (i.e., permanent ponds; 23).…”

“…Anurans typically have few opportunities to breed and, when they do, produce large numbers of young. Seemingly, such characteristics might predispose anurans to conspecific attraction and using conspecific calls to locate breeding locations [18], yet field evidence on the topic is scarce [19,20]. Several decades ago, Oldham [21] found that green frogs (Lithobates clamitans) transplanted to a foreign location were more likely to orient toward conspecific calls than were local frogs, and, more recently, James et al [22] found that conspecific call playbacks influenced the within-pond distributions of green and golden bell frogs (Litoria aurea).…”