Group size modulates time budget and foraging efficiency in captive Skylarks, Alauda arvensis

International audience Skylarks (Alauda arvensis) are known to adopt a typical aggregative behaviour during the wintering period. A further benefit is that individuals in larger groups can decrease the amount of time they spent being vigilant, while maintaining a high probability of predator detecti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Ornithology
Main Authors: Powolny, Thibaut, Eraud, Cyril, Bretagnolle, Vincent
Other Authors: Centre d'études biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Avifaune Migratrice (CNERA), Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: HAL CCSD 2012
Subjects:
Intake rate
Vigilance
Alauda arvensis
Group size
Time budget
envir
psy
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-011-0764-4
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00649558
Description
Summary:International audience Skylarks (Alauda arvensis) are known to adopt a typical aggregative behaviour during the wintering period. A further benefit is that individuals in larger groups can decrease the amount of time they spent being vigilant, while maintaining a high probability of predator detection. Using wild birds temporarily housed in outdoor aviaries, we investigated the influence of group size (1, 2 and 4 individuals) on individual time budget (vigilance vs. foraging), and the pecking (number of pecks) and intake rates (number of seeds consumed). Results showed that individuals reduced their vigilance and increased their pecking rate when group size increased. However, the intake rate was not maximised in the largest group suggesting that large flocks would negatively affect individual foraging efficiency. A consideration of the whole set of costs and benefits will be necessary before the adaptive value of group living in any species can be fully assessed.

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