Comments on: Eavesdropping songbirds get predator intel from overheard calls

By: Atila

Atila — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 19:59:59 +0000

As aways, you find really good stories. Every single post deserves to be read…

By: BJN

BJN — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 19:31:02 +0000

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.

By: Yoder

Yoder — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 05:09:02 +0000

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.

By: Robert V Sobczak

Robert V Sobczak — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:57:05 +0000

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.