Recognition of Predator Type and Risk Level in Azure‐Winged Magpies (Cyanopica cyanus) Through Visual and Auditory Cues
ABSTRACT Predation events are an important key factor determining the survival and reproduction of prey species. To cope, prey species have evolved various anti‐predator strategies, including mechanisms for accurate predator identification and distinguishing predator types and risk levels. Birds rel...
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| Format: | Article |
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Wiley
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Ecology and Evolution |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70749 |
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| author | Taijun Zuo Jiaojiao Wang Jiangnan Liu Jianping Liu Qindong Zhou Jianhua Hou |
| author_facet | Taijun Zuo Jiaojiao Wang Jiangnan Liu Jianping Liu Qindong Zhou Jianhua Hou |
| author_sort | Taijun Zuo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT Predation events are an important key factor determining the survival and reproduction of prey species. To cope, prey species have evolved various anti‐predator strategies, including mechanisms for accurate predator identification and distinguishing predator types and risk levels. Birds rely on visual, auditory, and olfactory cues to perceive and categorize predators. However, previous studies have focused on single sensory modalities and have largely been conducted during breeding seasons. Thus, analyses of the accuracy and differences in predator recognition cues, especially during non‐breeding periods, are needed. In this study, predator recognition in Azure‐winged Magpies (Cyanopica cyanus) was evaluated during the non‐breeding season. We examined responses to two predators, Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) and Domestic Cat (Felis catus), and two non‐predators, Oriental Magpie (Pica serica) and Oriental Turtle Dove (Streptopelia orientalis). Using specimens and playback experiment, the ability of Azure‐winged magpies to identify threats through both visual and auditory cues was evaluated. The results showed that Azure‐winged Magpies can identify predator types through both visual and auditory cues, accurately distinguish threat levels, and adjust their foraging behavior accordingly. Notably, they exhibited the strongest anti‐predator response to Domestic Cats (frequently encountered under natural conditions), as evidenced by longer observation times, shorter foraging duration, and quicker flight responses. The results indicate that Azure‐winged Magpies can correctly identify predator types and threat levels through both visual and auditory cues and exhibit stronger anti‐predator behaviors with increasing apparent threat levels. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-af44db65e8df41f08e90f8c39974f6c2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-7758 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
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| series | Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj-art-af44db65e8df41f08e90f8c39974f6c22024-12-27T11:24:39ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582024-12-011412n/an/a10.1002/ece3.70749Recognition of Predator Type and Risk Level in Azure‐Winged Magpies (Cyanopica cyanus) Through Visual and Auditory CuesTaijun Zuo0Jiaojiao Wang1Jiangnan Liu2Jianping Liu3Qindong Zhou4Jianhua Hou5College of Life Science Hebei University Baoding ChinaCollege of Life Science Hebei University Baoding ChinaCollege of Life Science Hebei University Baoding ChinaCollege of Biological Sciences and Engineering North Minzu University Yinchuan ChinaSchool of Life Sciences Guizhou Normal University Guiyang ChinaCollege of Life Science Hebei University Baoding ChinaABSTRACT Predation events are an important key factor determining the survival and reproduction of prey species. To cope, prey species have evolved various anti‐predator strategies, including mechanisms for accurate predator identification and distinguishing predator types and risk levels. Birds rely on visual, auditory, and olfactory cues to perceive and categorize predators. However, previous studies have focused on single sensory modalities and have largely been conducted during breeding seasons. Thus, analyses of the accuracy and differences in predator recognition cues, especially during non‐breeding periods, are needed. In this study, predator recognition in Azure‐winged Magpies (Cyanopica cyanus) was evaluated during the non‐breeding season. We examined responses to two predators, Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) and Domestic Cat (Felis catus), and two non‐predators, Oriental Magpie (Pica serica) and Oriental Turtle Dove (Streptopelia orientalis). Using specimens and playback experiment, the ability of Azure‐winged magpies to identify threats through both visual and auditory cues was evaluated. The results showed that Azure‐winged Magpies can identify predator types through both visual and auditory cues, accurately distinguish threat levels, and adjust their foraging behavior accordingly. Notably, they exhibited the strongest anti‐predator response to Domestic Cats (frequently encountered under natural conditions), as evidenced by longer observation times, shorter foraging duration, and quicker flight responses. The results indicate that Azure‐winged Magpies can correctly identify predator types and threat levels through both visual and auditory cues and exhibit stronger anti‐predator behaviors with increasing apparent threat levels.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70749anti‐predationauditory recognitionazure‐winged magpiepredation riskvisual recognition |
| spellingShingle | Taijun Zuo Jiaojiao Wang Jiangnan Liu Jianping Liu Qindong Zhou Jianhua Hou Recognition of Predator Type and Risk Level in Azure‐Winged Magpies (Cyanopica cyanus) Through Visual and Auditory Cues Ecology and Evolution anti‐predation auditory recognition azure‐winged magpie predation risk visual recognition |
| title | Recognition of Predator Type and Risk Level in Azure‐Winged Magpies (Cyanopica cyanus) Through Visual and Auditory Cues |
| title_full | Recognition of Predator Type and Risk Level in Azure‐Winged Magpies (Cyanopica cyanus) Through Visual and Auditory Cues |
| title_fullStr | Recognition of Predator Type and Risk Level in Azure‐Winged Magpies (Cyanopica cyanus) Through Visual and Auditory Cues |
| title_full_unstemmed | Recognition of Predator Type and Risk Level in Azure‐Winged Magpies (Cyanopica cyanus) Through Visual and Auditory Cues |
| title_short | Recognition of Predator Type and Risk Level in Azure‐Winged Magpies (Cyanopica cyanus) Through Visual and Auditory Cues |
| title_sort | recognition of predator type and risk level in azure winged magpies cyanopica cyanus through visual and auditory cues |
| topic | anti‐predation auditory recognition azure‐winged magpie predation risk visual recognition |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70749 |
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