Vocal and Visual Conspecific Cues Influence the Behavior of Chimney Swifts at Provisioned Habitat

[摘要] Abstract. Numerous species use socially derived information from conspecifics to evaluate the quality of potential habitat. We examine whether conspecific cues influence Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) behavior at uninhabited provisioned habitat, and whether their response in the pre- and post-breeding seasons differs. We used conspecific playbacks and decoys at 19 towers designed for the swift's nesting in southern Ontario, Canada, and monitored response before, during, and after the experiment. In the pre-breeding season Chimney Swifts spent more overall time within 25 m of the towers regardless of experimental treatment. The length of time individuals spent in range of the towers increased when conspecific cues were deployed. In the pre-breeding season this effect ceased with the removal of cues, while in the post-breeding season the time spent in range increased following the removal of cues. We assert that conspecific cues influence Chimney Swift behavior, particularly in the post-breeding season w...

[学科分类] 动物科学

[关键词] Chaetura pelagica;Chimney Swift;conspecific cues;provisioned habitat