Calls by Willow Tits (Parus montanus) during ringing and after release

Abstract

The behaviour of 514 juvenile Willow Tits (Parus montanus) was recorded during four phases of the capture/ringing procedure: (1) when seized in the trap by hand, (2) when held in the hand, (3) during flight after release and (4) after perching in tree. During phase 1, 79% of the tits kept silent, while the remaining birds mostly gave distress calls (screamed or hissed). When held in the hand 67% kept silent, while 98% of the remainder uttered distress calls. The survival value of distress calls in this context seems dubious, they may merely express fear.Spitt alertness calls (often combined withtaa-notes) andsit foraging calls were those most frequently given during flight.Sisi alarm andtaa calls predominated after perching in tree. During phases 1–3 a larger proportion of the males kept silent than of the females.