Northern bobwhite predator avoidance behavior in response to varying types of threat

Perkins, Rebecca; Boal, Clint W.; Rollins, Dale; Perez, Robert M.

doi:10.1002/jwmg.766

Cited by 20 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Decreased path tortuosity within the Reference treatment may be a product of the specific predator present, as predator type determines antipredator escape tactics (Perkins, Boal, Rollins, & Perez, 2014). Decreased path tortuosity within the Reference treatment may be a product of the specific predator present, as predator type determines antipredator escape tactics (Perkins, Boal, Rollins, & Perez, 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent literature has demonstrated an increase in bobwhite path tortuosity as a result of evading avian predators when compared to terrestrial threats, such as hunters (Perkins et al, 2014). Moreover, it has been suggested that Protean behavior is energetically costly and may only be utilized if prey are directly targeted by a predator (Jones et al, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nonconsumptive effects of hunting on a nontarget game bird

Mohlman

Gardner

Parnell

et al. 2019

Ecology and Evolution

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Human hunting activity and disturbance can significantly impact prey species through both consumptive and nonconsumptive effects. The nonconsumptive effects of rabbit hunting on Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus; hereafter, bobwhite) are currently unknown. Increased perceived risk of predation by bobwhite during rabbit hunting events may elicit antipredator responses among bobwhite that impact fitness via changes in behavior that ultimately impact population growth. We estimated the nonconsumptive effects of rabbit hunting on bobwhite behavior using telemetry across varying rabbit hunting intensities. Movements were analyzed using Bayesian hierarchical modeling with a before‐after‐control‐impact (BACI) design to determine the effect of rabbit hunting on bobwhite. We observed an overall reduction in bobwhite movement in the presence of rabbit hunting, with a 38% (Posterior Overlap = 0.01) increase in bobwhite step length in the absence of rabbit hunting. We also observed bobwhite maintaining closer proximity to hardwood and escape cover under high rabbit hunting intensity, with a 59% (Posterior Overlap = 0.03) increase in distance from hardwood and a 28% (Posterior Overlap = 0.14) increase in distance from escape cover when rabbit hunting was removed. Synthesis and applications. Heightened antipredator behavior through decreased movement may assist with bobwhite predator avoidance. However, decreased movement and increased use of poor habitats may also have negative effects as a result of reduced foraging time or increased susceptibility to other predators. Future research should attempt to quantify the effect of decreased movement on bobwhite fitness through the evaluation of foraging time and survival in order to continue to improve management efforts for the species.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nonconsumptive effects of hunting on a nontarget game bird

Mohlman

Gardner

Parnell

et al. 2019

Ecology and Evolution

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“…This balance of strategies would limit the amount of visual exposure of prey to predators in both scenarios. In bobwhites, differences in anti‐predator behavior to threat type have been noted between raptors (aerial) and hunters (ground; Perkins et al ). Further, the influences of bobwhite anti‐predator behavior elicited in this study may exacerbate their exposure to natural predators.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vegetation and predator interactions affect northern bobwhite behavior

2018

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Anti‐predator behavior can be costly to prey species and the consequences of these decisions may affect survival. Interactions between humans and hunted species can lead to behavioral shifts in the animal that affect hunter satisfaction and possibly fitness of the animals. We assessed the influence of multiple factors that may affect anti‐predator behavior in a commonly harvested game bird, the northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), during October 2013–March 2015 on a private plantation in South Carolina, USA. We monitored bobwhite‐hunter interactions during hunting events (n = 40) using radio‐telemetry and behavioral observations. We investigated bobwhite anti‐predator behavior in 2 contexts, choice of evasive tactic and timing of tactic deployment (i.e., level of wariness), using a combination of linear regression and multinomial models in a Bayesian framework. Our results indicate the approach style of the hunter (i.e., pointing dog) and vegetation density affect the evasive tactic used. Dense vegetation at 0.6 m above ground height promoted hiding behavior of bobwhites, whereas approaching pointing dogs (i.e., not holding point) promoted flushing. Also, dense vegetation at 0.3 m above ground height and previous exposure to a discharged firearm elicited an earlier anti‐predator response. Our results imply that bobwhites make context‐specific decisions regarding hunter evasion, which may be a result of associative learning. Managers may be able to increase bobwhite‐hunter encounters and improve hunter satisfaction by maintaining vegetation structure between 0.6 and 1.3 m to promote hiding behavior throughout the hunting season. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.

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“…, Perkins et al. ). Further research is therefore needed to assess the role of olfactory concealment in different cover types—such as wetlands, deserts, urban areas and croplands—and under predator assemblages comprised of an equal mix of visual and olfactory‐hunting species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, Perkins et al. ). Because most terrestrial predator communities are dominated by species that use olfaction (hereafter olfactory predators) (Nams , Slotnick , Hughes et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variation and drivers of airflow patterns associated with olfactory concealment and habitat selection

Fogarty

Elmore

Fuhlendorf

et al. 2018

Ecology

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Many terrestrial predators rely on olfaction to detect prey; therefore, prey should select habitat to reduce detectability of their odor cues. One way prey can potentially conceal their odor is by selecting locations with high turbulence and/or updrafts, conditions that disperse odor plumes and make odor sources difficult to locate. However, it is unclear how these conditions vary among vegetation cover types and which vegetative features drive them. We assessed variation and drivers of variables hypothesized to influence olfactory concealment (turbulence intensity and airflow slope) and experimentally evaluated whether these variables indeed influence predator detection of simulated prey. Specifically, we compared vegetation patch-scale values of turbulence intensity and airflow slope among grassland, shrubland, and forest and assessed relationships among these airflow variables and local-scale vegetative features within each vegetation type. Additionally, we experimentally investigated the importance of turbulence intensity, airflow slope, and visual concealment for predicting predator detection of scented quail eggs. In all vegetation types, we documented high variability in airflow conditions. At the patch scale, turbulence intensity was greater in shrubland and grassland than in forest, and updrafts were most common in shrubland whereas downdrafts were most common in grassland. Grassland was the only vegetation type with strong relationships among turbulence intensity and local vegetation features; both visual concealment and vegetation height were positively related to turbulence intensity. Additionally, persistence of scented quail eggs in grassland was best predicted by turbulence intensity; egg persistence increased with turbulence intensity. Our characterization of differences in olfactory variables among vegetation types provides an important step towards building a clearer understanding of olfactory landscapes. Further, our observation of both patch- and local-scale variation in olfactory variables suggests that prey can potentially select for olfactory concealment at multiple scales. We hypothesize that olfactory concealment provided by high levels of turbulence intensity is an important component of cover in grassland, and that in grassland/shrubland landscapes, prey selection of shrubland patches reduces odor detectability. Our finding of a positive relationship between turbulence intensity and visual concealment also suggests that olfactory concealment may be a previously underappreciated confounding factor in studies of habitat selection.

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Northern bobwhite predator avoidance behavior in response to varying types of threat

Cited by 20 publications

References 24 publications

Nonconsumptive effects of hunting on a nontarget game bird

Nonconsumptive effects of hunting on a nontarget game bird

Vegetation and predator interactions affect northern bobwhite behavior

Variation and drivers of airflow patterns associated with olfactory concealment and habitat selection

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