Abstracts » Zoology and wildlife conservation

How many birds does it take to put a flock to flight?

Article Abstract:

A new study investigates the composition of foraging flocks and the effects of disturbance on flocks. The investigation of a flight of sanderlings examines the flying decisions of individuals and their effect on the behaviour of the flock as a whole. It is shown that flocks of sanderlings do not always fly together, although an increase in flock size increases the number of birds that fly without the whole flock taking flight. Disturbance results in a more cohesive flock departure.

Birds, Bird populations, Shore birds, Shorebirds

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Testing mutualism: a commentary on Clements & Stephens

Article Abstract:

Gilbert & Stephens' (1995) experiments testing non-kin cooperation between pairs of captive blue jays pecking for food show no evidence that one bird's behaviour is modified by the presence of the other and the results do not show true mutualism. Mutualistic behaviour must show some evidence of cooperation between the two birds, which in Clements & Stephens' tests is lacking. Cooperation should be defined in terms of behaviour rather than rewards.

Analysis, Mutualism (Biology), Blue jay

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Cooperation through interdependence

Article Abstract:

The extent to which cooperation might be explained by individuals being interdependent is explained. The interdependencies are highlighted as an integral part of social behavior, and are formalized in terms of stakes that individuals have in each other.

Science & research, Research, Familial behavior in animals, Animal familial behavior, Animal familial behaviour

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