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

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60076658%3A12310%2F24%3A43907973" target="_blank" >RIV/60076658:12310/24:43907973 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jav.03192" target="_blank" >https://nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jav.03192</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jav.03192" target="_blank" >10.1111/jav.03192</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

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

Original language description

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.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

10615 - Ornithology

Project

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Continuities

S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach

Publication year

2024

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Journal of Avian Biology

ISSN

0908-8857

e-ISSN

1600-048X

Volume of the periodical

2024

Issue of the periodical within the volume

5-6

Country of publishing house

GB - UNITED KINGDOM

Number of pages

12

Pages from-to

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UT code for WoS article

001145243600001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85182432962