Prey choice by Blue Jays based on movement patterns of artificial prey

Abstract

Movement patterns of prey animals may be used by aerial predators to distinguish noxious from palatable, injured and sick from healthy, or difficult to capture from easy to capture prey. This was investigated in the laboratory by presenting Blue Jays with mealworms on a chain and pulley flight pattern simulation device. Palatable prey were presented in one movement pattern, while noxious (quinine-soaked) prey were presented in a second pattern. All birds learned to attack and eat palatable prey and to sit, watch, and avoid noxious prey. The ability to distinguish prey types at a distance by movement patterns may also allow a predator to conserve energy and increase hunting efficiency by attacking only palatable prey that it is highly likely to capture.

Avian food selection with application to pesticide risk assessment: Are dead and desiccated insects a desirable food source?

“…However, the insects were active and mobile while on the tethers, and the frequency with which they were chosen by birds showed they were attractive food items. Movement of prey items has been described as a factor influencing bird food selection and the susceptibility of prey to bird predation [6,18–21]. However, larval insects are typically slow moving while adults tend to move faster, presenting the most marked difference between the larval and cricket food types used in this study.…”

Avian Food Selection With Application to Pesticide Risk Assessment: Are Dead and Desiccated Insects a Desirable Food Source?

“…22, 2003 1339 which they were chosen by birds showed they were attractive food items. Movement of prey items has been described as a factor influencing bird food selection and the susceptibility of prey to bird predation [6,[18][19][20][21]. However, larval insects are typically slow moving while adults tend to move faster, presenting the most marked difference between the larval and cricket food types used in this study.…”