Publication Details
Avoiding the nest : responses of field sparrows to the threat of nest predation
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Year Published
2000
Publication
Auk. Vol. 117, no. 3 (July 2000).:p. 803-806.
Abstract
Nest predation is a major source of reproductive failure in birds (Ricklefs 1969, Martin 1992). Birds confronted with an enemy near the nest may use behaviors to deter the prospect of nest predation. The benefits of nest defense have been shown for many agressive species (Martin 1992), but smaller birds that cannot deter predators may need to resort to other behaviors to reduce predation risk. These other behaviors include mobbing (Curio 1978), injury feigning and distraction displays (Gochfeld 1984), and actions to draw prospective predators from the nest (Greig-Smith 1980, East 1981, Knight and Temple 1986).
Citation
Burhans, Dirk E. 2000. Avoiding the nest : responses of field sparrows to the threat of nest predation. Auk. Vol. 117, no. 3 (July 2000).:p. 803-806.