Chick-a-dee call variation in the context of "flying" avian predator stimuli: a field study of Carolina chickadees (Poecile carolinensis)

• Published in: Behavioral ecology and sociobiology Vol. 66; no. 5; pp. 683 - 690
• Main Authors: Zachau, Christopher E., Freeberg, Todd M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer 01.05.2012; Springer-Verlag; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Accipiter striatus; Aerial locomotion; Animal communication; Animal Ecology; Behavior modeling; Behavioral biology; Behavioral Sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Bird songs; Birds; Chickens; Cyanocitta cristata; Hawks; Life Sciences; Mental stimulation; Modeling; Original Paper; Poecile; Poecile carolinensis; Predation; Predators; Songbirds; Zoology; Signal; Alarm call; Chickadee; Chick-a-dee call
• ISSN: 0340-5443; 1432-0762
• DOI: 10.1007/s00265-012-1316-5

Chick-a-dee calls function in social organization in Poecile (chickadee) species. Recent field and aviary studies have found that variation in chick-a-dee calls relates to the type or proximity of avian predator, or level of threat. Earlier studies on calls in the context of predator stimuli have typically used stationary and perched predator models. For chickadees and other small songbirds, more frequently detected and more dangerous avian predatory stimuli are flying predators. In the present study, we tested whether simulated flying avian predator and control models influenced chick-a-dee calling behavior of wild Carolina chickadees, Poecile carolinensis. At 20 independent field sites, chickadee subjects were presented with wooden models that were painted to resemble either a predatory sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus) or a blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) and that were made to "fly" down a zip line near a feeding station chickadees were using. The note composition of chick-a-dee calls was affected by both the flight of stimuli and type of model. Call variation in this flying predator context suggests interesting similarities and differences with experimental findings with congeners. Finally, increased production of certain notes to the flying of both model types provides support for a "Better Safe than Sorry" strategy. When costs of alarm calling are low but costs of discriminating potentially serious threats may be extremely high, individuals should err on the side of caution, and alarm call to any potentially threatening stimulus.