THE “RODENT‐RUN”DISTRACTION‐BEHAVIOUR OF CERTAIN WADERS.

• Published in: Ibis
• Main Authors: Duffey, Eric, Creasey, N.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1950
• Subjects: Bear Island; Purple Sandpiper; Tundra
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919x.1950.tb01730.x; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1474-919X.1950.tb01730.x; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1474-919X.1950.tb01730.x

Summary. Field‐observations on the distraction‐behaviour of the Purple Sandpiper in Bear Island are given. A type of passive distraction behaviour which closely resembles the run of a small mammal is characteristic of this bird and other waders which nest on fell and tundra in the northern hemisphere. A distinction is drawn between “lure‐display”(so‐called “injury‐feigning”) derived from disjointed, uncontrolled actions which result from the clashing of strong emotional drives on the appearance of a predator, and displacement activities (which may occur under the same psychological conditions) in which emotional energy finds an outlet in an existing, stereotyped pattern of courtship or other behaviour. It is shown that the “rodent‐run”belongs to the latter group, and its origin is traced to the “repeated wing‐ceremony”of courtship and territorial activity. Biological valency of the original “borrowing”, due to resemblance of the movements to those of a small mammal, has ensured its modification and development (some aspects of which are discussed) as a strikingly successful pattern in which simulation of a retreating rodent is complete. An annotated list is given of species in which a “rodent‐run”has been recorded.