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Melanin‐Based Coloration in Juvenile Kestrels ( F alco tinnunculus ) Covaries with Anti‐Predatory Personality Traits
Author(s) -
van den Brink Valentijn,
Henry Isabelle,
Wakamatsu Kazumasa,
Roulin Alexandre
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
ethology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.739
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1439-0310
pISSN - 0179-1613
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0310.2012.02057.x
Subject(s) - boldness , kestrel , juvenile , zoology , biology , predation , ecology , predator , personality , psychology , social psychology
Recent studies have shown that melanin‐based coloration is associated with the ability to cope with stressful environments, potentially explaining why coloration covaries with anti‐predator behaviours, boldness and docility. To investigate whether these relationships are consistent across species, we performed a study in the E uropean kestrel ( F alco tinnunculus ). Similar to our results found previously in the barn owl ( T yto alba ), nestling kestrels displaying a larger sub‐terminal black tail band stayed on their back longer (tonic immobility test) and breathed at a lower rate than individuals with a smaller black band when handled. However, in contrast to barn owls, nestling kestrels with a larger black tail band were more aggressive and more agitated. Our results strengthen the hypothesis that melanin coloration is related to stress response and in turn to the reaction to predators, a very important personality trait (i.e. boldness).