Strange features are no better than no features: predator recognition by untrained birds
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60076658%3A12310%2F25%3A43909904" target="_blank" >RIV/60076658:12310/25:43909904 - isvavai.cz</a>
Alternative codes found
RIV/00216208:11310/25:10499217
Result on the web
<a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10071-024-01924-z" target="_blank" >https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10071-024-01924-z</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10071-024-01924-z" target="_blank" >10.1007/s10071-024-01924-z</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Strange features are no better than no features: predator recognition by untrained birds
Original language description
Predator recognition is essential for prey survival, allowing for appropriate antipredator strategies. Some bird species, such as the red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio), distinguish not only between predators and non-threatening species but also between different predator species. Earlier studies have identified general predator "key features", especially beak shape and talons, as critical for predator recognition. The question, though, still remains of whether exchanging predator key features with those of nonpredatory species or, alternatively, completely removing them, have different or equal impact on recognition. Here we tested to ascertain whether the presence of the "incorrect key features" of a harmless pigeon (Columba livia) placed on a common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) body impairs predator recognition more efficiently than the absence of any key features. We presented an unmodified kestrel dummy and two modified kestrel dummies (one with pigeon key features, the other lacking key features) to wild red-backed shrikes defending their nest. The shrikes attacked the unmodified dummy kestrel more intensively than both kestrel modifications when defending the nest. However, shrikes did not show different responses to the kestrel with pigeon key features and the featureless kestrel. Our findings show that the absence and exchange of key features have the same effect in this case. These results are discussed in the context of recognition of a specific predator species and predators as a category in general.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
50103 - Cognitive sciences
Result continuities
Project
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Continuities
S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach
Others
Publication year
2025
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
Animal Cognition
ISSN
1435-9448
e-ISSN
1435-9456
Volume of the periodical
28
Issue of the periodical within the volume
1
Country of publishing house
DE - GERMANY
Number of pages
7
Pages from-to
nestránkováno
UT code for WoS article
001391663300001
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-85214263783