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A sex difference in the behavioural response of nesting mountain bluebirds (Sialia currucoides) to a mounted predator

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Abstract

Passerine nests can benefit parental fitness, but defense against predators may be costly. Although this paradigm is well studied, no studies have been conducted on mountain bluebirds (Sialia currucoides). We observed the response of 17 bluebird pairs with nestlings to a mounted bobcat (Lynx rufus) and two controls. Bluebird pairs clearly differentiated the mounted predator and males moved closer to the bobcat than to the controls whereas females did not. This system is ideal to further refine nest-defense hypotheses.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Conservation Research, Calgary Zoo, 1300 Zoo Road N.E, Calgary, AB, Canada, T2E 7V6

    K. W. Gibson & A. Moehrenschlager

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  1. K. W. Gibson
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  2. A. Moehrenschlager
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Correspondence to K. W. Gibson.

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Gibson, K.W., Moehrenschlager, A. A sex difference in the behavioural response of nesting mountain bluebirds (Sialia currucoides) to a mounted predator. J Ethol 26, 185–189 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10164-007-0045-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10164-007-0045-0

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