Cowards or clever guys: an alternative nest defence strategy employed by shrikes against magpies

Veselý, Petr; Syrová, Michaela; Voháňková, Michaela; Havlíček, Jan; Nácarová, Jana; Fuchs, Roman

doi:10.1007/s10071-021-01552-x

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…The ability to choose alternative strategies in nest defence were previously shown e.g. in red‐backed shrikes (Syrová et al 2016, Veselý et al 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Function of juvenile plumage in the northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis): aggressive mimicry hypothesis

Špička,

Veselý,

Fuchs

2024

Journal of Avian Biology

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Multiple raptors show juvenile plumage that is substantially different from that of their parents. Here, we test the prediction that the colouration of the juvenile northern goshawk Accipiter gentilis resembling the colouration of the common buzzard Buteo buteo acts as a form of aggressive mimicry. The goshawk specialises in hunting larger birds and mammals up to the size of geese or hares, while the buzzard preys mostly on small rodents. Larger birds may thus consider juvenile goshawks as less dangerous raptors, and the juvenile goshawk may thus gain an advantage when hunting. We used the Eurasian magpie Pica pica, a common prey of the goshawk, to test this prediction. We compared the behavioural responses of magpie parents defending their freshly fledged young towards mounts of an adult goshawk, juvenile goshawk, and buzzard. To be able to assess whether this behaviour differs from responses to a nest predator and a harmless bird we also presented a common raven Corvus corax and common pheasant Phasianus colchicus as baseline stimuli. Both juvenile and adult goshawks elicited antipredatory behaviour, but magpies took more risks facing juvenile goshawks. Additionally, the intensity of antipredatory behaviour towards the juvenile goshawk was also higher than towards the buzzard. We thus conclude that magpies do distinguish between juvenile and adult goshawks, as well as they do distinguish juvenile goshawks from buzzards. They are able to assess the threat particular raptors represent and respond accordingly. Analysis of spectral reflectance of stuffed specimens of these three raptors suggests there are differences, which can be used for the appropriate recognition. In conclusion, we cannot confirm the hypothesis of aggressive mimicry in juvenile goshawks that interact with magpies.

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“…The ability to choose alternative strategies in nest defence were previously shown e.g. in red‐backed shrikes (Syrová et al 2016, Veselý et al 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Function of juvenile plumage in the northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis): aggressive mimicry hypothesis

Špička,

Veselý,

Fuchs

2024

Journal of Avian Biology

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“…Ash ( 1970 ) and later Harris and Franklin ( 2000 ) described calls used when an intruder occurs in the territory of shrikes (the so‐called “chack” call, also recorded in our study) and another call produced when the intruder is attacked. Generally, the nest defense strategy of the red‐backed shrike is very effective against most of the potentially threatening species (but compared to Veselý et al, 2022 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Red‐backed shrike (Lanius collurio) versus common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus): An example of ineffective cuckoo–hawk mimicry

Krausová

Veselý

Syrová

et al. 2022

Ecology and Evolution

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In Europe, the common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) is the most common and most studied brood parasite (Birkhead et al., 2011;Brooke & Davies, 1987;Esposito et al., 2022;Moksnes et al., 1991). The parasitic strategy of the cuckoo is very complex, with arms races developed with multiple host species. The parasitic event itself is very fast, cryptic, and planned in the period before incubation and after the first host eggs have been laid (Hamilton et al., 1965;Payne et al., 2005;Mann, 2017). The newly hatched cuckoo chick either

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Sex-dependent recognition and behavior against nest predators and brood parasites by Chestnut-capped Blackbird Chrysomus ruficapillus

Sovrano,

Lorenzón,

León

et al. 2024

Behav Ecol Sociobiol

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Cowards or clever guys: an alternative nest defence strategy employed by shrikes against magpies

Cited by 5 publications

References 61 publications

Function of juvenile plumage in the northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis): aggressive mimicry hypothesis

Function of juvenile plumage in the northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis): aggressive mimicry hypothesis

Red‐backed shrike (Lanius collurio) versus common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus): An example of ineffective cuckoo–hawk mimicry

Sex-dependent recognition and behavior against nest predators and brood parasites by Chestnut-capped Blackbird Chrysomus ruficapillus

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