Towards an integrated view of escape decisions in birds: relation between flight initiation distance and distance fled

Tätte, Kunter; Møller, Anders Pape; Mänd, Raivo

doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.12.008

Cited by 51 publications

(75 citation statements)

References 77 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…While previous studies have shown consistently longer FIDs in rural than in urban habitats (Samia et al, 2017), we are only aware of a single other study investigating the independent effects of rural versus urban habitats and flock size on FID (Tätte et al, 2018). While previous studies have shown consistently longer FIDs in rural than in urban habitats (Samia et al, 2017), we are only aware of a single other study investigating the independent effects of rural versus urban habitats and flock size on FID (Tätte et al, 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…The study by Laursen, Kahlert, and Frikke (2005) showed that, in different species of waterbirds, FID increased with flock size. Finally, Tätte, Møller, and Mänd (2018) showed that flock size increased FID, but not the distance fled. In contrast, the results are consistent with effects of many eyes scanning for the presence of a predator, although differences in phenotypic composition of differently sized flocks may be an alternative explanation for these findings.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Contagious fear: Escape behavior increases with flock size in European gregarious birds

Morelli

Benedetti

Dı́az

et al. 2019

Ecology and Evolution

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Flight initiation distance (FID), the distance at which individuals take flight when approached by a potential (human) predator, is a tool for understanding predator–prey interactions. Among the factors affecting FID, tests of effects of group size (i.e., number of potential prey) on FID have yielded contrasting results. Group size or flock size could either affect FID negatively (i.e., the dilution effect caused by the presence of many individuals) or positively (i.e., increased vigilance due to more eyes scanning for predators). These effects may be associated with gregarious species, because such species should be better adapted to exploiting information from other individuals in the group than nongregarious species. Sociality may explain why earlier findings on group size versus FID have yielded different conclusions. Here, we analyzed how flock size affected bird FID in eight European countries. A phylogenetic generalized least square regression model was used to investigate changes in escape behavior of bird species in relation to number of individuals in the flock, starting distance, diet, latitude, and type of habitat. Flock size of different bird species influenced how species responded to perceived threats. We found that gregarious birds reacted to a potential predator earlier (longer FID) when aggregated in large flocks. These results support a higher vigilance arising from many eyes scanning in birds, suggesting that sociality may be a key factor in the evolution of antipredator behavior both in urban and rural areas. Finally, future studies comparing FID must pay explicit attention to the number of individuals in flocks of gregarious species.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Contagious fear: Escape behavior increases with flock size in European gregarious birds

Morelli

Benedetti

Dı́az

et al. 2019

Ecology and Evolution

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Further, urbanization is known to affect the flight behavior of many animals and it is generally hypothesized, that animals in urban habitats have lower flight initiation distances than animals in rural habitats. This may be due to a higher habituation to human presence or ecological trade‐offs due to habitat quality, such as food availability or habitat obstruction that might hamper predator detection and hence decrease FID (Battle, Foltz, & Moore, , Bjørvik, Dale, Hermansen, Munishi, & Moe, , Bonnot et al, , Randler, , Randler ; Tätte et al, , urbanization hypothesis). In our study area, the black redstart often breeds close to human settlements and hence is accustomed to human presence.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tätte et al, () found distance fled; that is, the actual distance fled from the starting point to the next resting point, to be an important factor that needs to be considered when studying escape behavior of animals. They reported a positive relationship between FID and distance fled for heavier birds but not for lighter species, indicating that the cost of escaping might differ according to body mass due to different energetic costs during fleeing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They reported a positive relationship between FID and distance fled for heavier birds but not for lighter species, indicating that the cost of escaping might differ according to body mass due to different energetic costs during fleeing. Because these authors worked on different species with different size/body mass and our study was related to only one species, we considered the hypothesis which Tätte et al, () explicated for a lighter species as the black redstart can be grouped to the lighter species in the framework of Tätte's study.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Flight initiation distance and escape behavior in the black redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros)

2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

There are many anti‐predatory escape strategies in animals. A well‐established method to assess escape behavior is the flight initiation distance (FID), which is the distance between prey and predator at which an animal flees. Previous studies in various species throughout the animal kingdom have shown that group size, urbanization, and distance to refuge and body mass affect FID. In most species, FID increases if body mass, group size or distance to refuge decreases. However, how age and sexual dimorphism affect FID is rather unknown. Here, we assess the escape behavior and FID of the black redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros), a small turdid passerine. When approached by a human, males initiated flights later, that is allowing a closer approach than females. Males of this species are more conspicuous, and therefore, may exhibit aposematism to deter potential predators or are less fearful than females. Additionally, juveniles fled at shorter distances and fled to lower heights than adults. Lastly, concerning escape strategy, black redstarts, unless other passerine birds, fled less often into cover, but rather onto open or elevated spots. Black redstarts are especially prone to predation by ambushing predators that might hide in cover. Hence, this species most likely has a higher chance of escaping by fleeing to an open spot rather than to a potentially risky cover.

show abstract

Boat disturbance effects on moulting common eiders Somateria mollissima

Dehnhard

Skei

Christensen‐Dalsgaard

et al. 2019

Mar Biol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Ship and boat traffic are increasing sources of disturbance to marine wildlife. During moult, sea ducks are flightless and rely on productive and shallow feeding areas. However, this period coincides with the peak of the recreational boating season. This is the first study to investigate the escape behaviour of moulting common eiders (Somateria mollissima) to the approach of small boats. We quantified flight initiation distances (flock-to-boat distance at which an energy-demanding escape occurred), displacement distances (distance between the pre- and post-disturbance position of the flock) and the time it took flocks to return to pre-disturbance (foraging- or resting-) behaviour. Moulting common eiders showed average flight initiation distances of 177 m and displacement distances of 771 m. Displacement distances decreased with flock size, under higher wind speeds and when previous foraging habitat was shallower. Time-to-return to pre-disturbance behaviour decreased with flock size but increased with wind speed and accessibility of foraging habitat at the previous location. Most (75%) of flocks returned to pre-disturbance behaviour within 10 min after the disturbance, while three flocks kept disturbed even 45 min after the approach. Finally, flocks encountered less accessible (deeper) habitats after disturbance than before. Our results suggest that approaching boats imply considerable disturbance effects for moulting common eiders through increased locomotion costs, displacement from accessible foraging habitat and/or time lost for foraging or resting. We provide valuable information for policy makers and marine spatial planning and highlight the need for awareness among recreational boat drivers on their impact on wildlife.

show abstract

Towards an integrated view of escape decisions in birds: relation between flight initiation distance and distance fled

Cited by 51 publications

References 77 publications

Contagious fear: Escape behavior increases with flock size in European gregarious birds

Contagious fear: Escape behavior increases with flock size in European gregarious birds

Flight initiation distance and escape behavior in the black redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros)

Boat disturbance effects on moulting common eiders Somateria mollissima

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About