Avian prey-dropping behavior. I. The effects of prey characteristics and prey loss |
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Authors: | Switzer Paul V; Cristol Daniel A |
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Institution: | a
Department of Zoology, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL 61920,
USA
b
Department of Biology, The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA
23187-8795, USA |
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Abstract: | Numerous species of birds break hard-shelled prey items by droppingthem
from a height. This intriguing prey-extraction method providesan excellent
opportunity for studying foraging behavior becausea single, easily measurable
quantityheight of dropmaybe influenced by a wide variety of
identifiable characteristicsof the prey (e.g., breakability, weight) and
social environment(e.g., alone or in the presence of kleptoparasites). Using
adynamic, state variable modeling approach, this paper presentsthe first
theoretical framework for avian prey-dropping systemsthat incorporates the
diversity of prey characteristics andsocial situations. The model yielded a
series of qualitativepredictions about prey-dropping behavior that can be
testedreadily in any prey-dropping system. In particular, the results
indicatedthat quantitative and qualitative differences in item breakability
andpotential kleptoparasitism should have a significant effecton the height
and pattern of prey dropping. |
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Keywords: | dynamic state variable model foraging behavior kleptoparasitism prey dropping |
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