The majority of animals are threatened by predators during their lives. These animals use various anti-predation strategies. Recognition of the threat is necessary condition for success. Our research team is focusing on principles of birds perceiving anf distinguishing their predators. We are currently investigating whether birds could use so-called holistic perception, which is primarily used by humans for rapid recognition of individual faces. Little study has been done on the ability of holistic perception in animals. However, there is no doubt that it would be very useful in predator recognition.
Our experiments are conducted on two model species:
- The Red-backed shrike ‒ this intelligent songbird, a close relative of the ravens, is exceptional among our small birds thanks its ability to actively defend its nest by mobbing. Experiments with the Kestrel are field experiments and take place during the breeding season in the Doupovské hory Mountains. See, e.g., Strnadová et al. 2018.
- The Great tit ‒ one of our most abundant songbirds. We exploit willingness of tits to visit winter feeders in large numbers or we observe tits complex antipredatory behaviour (warning, seeking shelter) in the aviary. Experiments with tits etake place in winter and are not necessarily site-specific. See, e.g., Beránková et al. 2014.
In both types of experiments, the test birds are presented with predator dummies, either of different more or less dangerous species (e.g. kestrel vs. sparrowhawk) or modified in different ways (e.g. sparrowhawk with beak and eyes replaced by beak and eyes of a harmless pigeon). In the former case, the aim is to find out whether birds discriminate between different species, in the latter whether they need the altered features to recognise a predator.
Our experiments take place under conditions that allow birds to fully express their behaviour, reflecting the realistic process of predator recognition in nature. We are working closely with a research team of cognitive ethologists from the University of South Bohemia (see www.cke.cz). This collaboration further resulted in the book Predator Recognition in Birds: The Use of Key Features, authored by Roman Fuchs, Petr Veselý, and Jana Nácarová (2019).