Vocal Responses of Adult Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) to Potential Nest Predators and the Behavioral Responses of Nestlings

Abstract

ABSTRACT The alarm calls of some birds are functionally referential and may provide nestlings with information about the threat posed by potential predators. However, few investigators have examined the responses of nestlings in cavity nests to the anti-predator vocalizations of adults. Our objectives were to examine (1) the vocal responses of cavity-nesting adult Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) to different predators, and (2) the behavioral responses of nestlings to those vocalizations. From April–July 2013, pairs of Eastern Bluebirds were exposed to mounts or models of four potential nest predators, including a raccoon (Procyon lotor), eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus), American Kestrel (Falco sparverius), and black rat snake (Pantherophis obsoletus), plus a control (Mourning Dove, Zenaida macroura). During 3-min trials, mounts or models were placed adjacent to nest boxes with 12–19-day-old nestlings. Adult vocalizations were recorded and the behavior of nestlings simultaneously recorded with a camco...