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Is the nesting association between the Orphean Warbler (Sylvia hortensis) and the Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator) an anti-predator oriented mutualism?

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Abstract

As already pointed out in the Red-backed ShrikeLanius collurio (and Isabelline ShrikeL. isabellinus) and the Barred WarblerSylvia nisoria, the Woodchat Shrike and the Orphean Warbler form a species pair engaged in a breeding association. Nest recordings of both species in the same bushes along with behavioural evidence in southern France suggests that this association goes far beyond a simple commensalism (for the sole benefit of the warbler) but might be considered as an anti-predator oriented mutualism whose precise extent evidently needs further observations.

Zusammenfassung

Rotkopfwürger und Orpheusgrasmücken gemeinsam im selben Nestträger nistend und weitere Verhaltensbeobachtungen an diesen beiden Arten in Süd-Frankreich lassen, wie schon zwischen Neuntöter (und weiter östlich Isabellwürger) und Sperbergrasmücke erwiesen, auf eine vermutliche Nestfeind-orientierte Assoziation schließen, woraus beide Arten Nutzen ziehen. Weitere Beobachtungen müssen Eigenschaften und Grenzen dieser Assoziation zeigen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CNRS), BP 5051, F-34033, Montpellier, France

    Paul Isenmann & Guillaume Fradet

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  1. Paul Isenmann
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  2. Guillaume Fradet
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Isenmann, P., Fradet, G. Is the nesting association between the Orphean Warbler (Sylvia hortensis) and the Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator) an anti-predator oriented mutualism?. J Ornithol 136, 288–291 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01651297

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01651297

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