Abstract
The flight initiation distance has been used either to understand the cost-benefit trade-offs related to the risk of predation or as an important tool for wildlife managers. Although this variable is well-discussed for temperate regions, it is still poorly known in the Neotropics. Here we analyze the escape behavior of birds from southeastern Brazil, comparing an urban to a non-urban area. We tested for the influence of sites (urban vs. non-urban area), approaching (by one vs. two people), daytime (morning vs. afternoon), seasons (breeding vs. non-breeding) and body mass on the determination of the initial (FID) and final (FFD) flight distances across different bird species. We predict that FID will be greater in rural areas and under a greater threat (higher number of predators approaching) in the afternoon and in the non-breeding season. We also expect a direct relationship between body mass and FID and between FID and FFD. We sampled 11 species after measuring 331 escape behaviors, and we confirmed our predictions for sites (five species), daytime (one species) and rejected our premise about seasons for one species. Mean FID was strongly affected by body mass, and directly affected FFD. Adjustments in FID are, most likely, an important adaptive trait in urban habitats and may partially explain the predominance of species with higher ecological plasticity in cities.
Highlights
Escape is a behavior that starts from a critical distance assessed by a prey tracking its predator
These studies may help the development of strategies to integrate human presence with the conservation of biodiversity, both in cities and in protected areas, supporting master and management plans, respectively. This subject has been well-discussed in temperate regions, mainly in Europe (e.g., CLUCAS & MARZLUFF 2012, MØLLER & IBÁNEZ-ÁLAMO 2012, MØLLER & LIANG 2012, DÍAZ et al 2013), but it is poorly known for the Neotropics
As stressed in previous studies (e.g., MØLLER & LIANG 2012), we found a decreased Flight Initial Distance (FID) in populations of five species living in the urban area
Summary
Escape is a behavior that starts from a critical distance assessed by a prey tracking its predator. Monitoring is associated with the vigilance that occurs before predator detection, allowing the prey to elaborate its decision to escape This decision is based on the fitness costs and benefits of the behavioral alternatives in this situation: the decision to remain and take a risk vs the decision to avoid the predator and ensure immediate survival (WRIGHT et al 2001). Understanding the factors that jointly determine the escape distance of birds is an important tool for biodiversity conservation, as this knowledge can set limits on human actions These studies may help the development of strategies to integrate human presence with the conservation of biodiversity, both in cities and in protected areas, supporting master and management plans, respectively. In Brazil, to our knowledge, there are no previous studies focusing on this issue
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