http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2008/10/22/eavesdropping-songbirds-get-predator-intel-from-overheard-calls/ Mon, 26 Nov 2012 12:00:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2008/10/22/eavesdropping-songbirds-get-predator-intel-from-overheard-calls/#comment-1424 Atila Thu, 23 Oct 2008 19:59:59 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2008/10/22/eavesdropping-songbirds-get-predator-intel-from-overheard-calls/#comment-1424 As aways, you find really good stories. Every single post deserves to be read... As aways, you find really good stories. Every single post deserves to be read…

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2008/10/22/eavesdropping-songbirds-get-predator-intel-from-overheard-calls/#comment-1423 BJN Thu, 23 Oct 2008 19:31:02 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2008/10/22/eavesdropping-songbirds-get-predator-intel-from-overheard-calls/#comment-1423 I've wondered if the sparrows that flock in shrubs nearby also listen when other birds in the flock and respond when one goes quiet. When a predator flies over, the chattering flock goes utterly quiet so quickly that it seems that the individuals must respond to a neighbor who suddenly shuts up. The constant chatter appears to facilitate an "all quiet" alarm, which certainly would have the benefit of not making an individual stand out to a predator when alerting the flock. I’ve wondered if the sparrows that flock in shrubs nearby also listen when other birds in the flock and respond when one goes quiet. When a predator flies over, the chattering flock goes utterly quiet so quickly that it seems that the individuals must respond to a neighbor who suddenly shuts up. The constant chatter appears to facilitate an “all quiet” alarm, which certainly would have the benefit of not making an individual stand out to a predator when alerting the flock.

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2008/10/22/eavesdropping-songbirds-get-predator-intel-from-overheard-calls/#comment-1422 Yoder Thu, 23 Oct 2008 05:09:02 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2008/10/22/eavesdropping-songbirds-get-predator-intel-from-overheard-calls/#comment-1422 Birders have known for a long time that imitating a wren's alarm call (<a>"pishing"</a>) attracts a wide variety of small, irritable passerines. But I'm not aware of any other work showing that birds use different alarm calls for different predator types. Neat stuff. Birders have known for a long time that imitating a wren’s alarm call (“pishing”) attracts a wide variety of small, irritable passerines. But I’m not aware of any other work showing that birds use different alarm calls for different predator types. Neat stuff.

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2008/10/22/eavesdropping-songbirds-get-predator-intel-from-overheard-calls/#comment-1421 Robert V Sobczak Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:57:05 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2008/10/22/eavesdropping-songbirds-get-predator-intel-from-overheard-calls/#comment-1421 Not that I gossip or eavesdrop, but aren't the two intimately linked to human success at all levels as well. Information is power and both are ways of getting it. Not that I gossip or eavesdrop, but aren’t the two intimately linked to human success at all levels as well. Information is power and both are ways of getting it.

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