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Dominance and anti‐predator behaviour of Great Tits Parus major: a field study
Author(s) -
LAET JENNY F. DE
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
ibis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.933
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1474-919X
pISSN - 0019-1019
DOI - 10.1111/j.1474-919x.1985.tb05079.x
Subject(s) - predator , parus , accipiter , dominance (genetics) , biology , ecology , zoology , predation , biochemistry , gene
During the winter of 1981–82 the hierarchical system of free‐living Great Tits Parus major that visited a feeder supplied with sunflower seeds was studied in relation to the appearance of a predator. Without a predator, dominant birds were more successful in feeding and had to wait less before feeding. A significant negative correlation was found between dominance and the sequence of initial arrival. After a Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus had flown over the feeder, a correlation was found between the birds' dominance and the sequence of their return to the feeder. This field study supports the results of an analogous investigation on anti‐predator behaviour and dominance in captive Blue Tits P. caeruleus.