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Playback Of Predator Calls Inhibits And Delays Dawn Singing In A Songbird Community, Peter Santema, Mihai Valcu, Michael Clinchy, Liana Zanette, Bart Kempenaers

Biology Publications

Recent studies have demonstrated that experimental increases in perceived predation risk can substantially impair breeding behavior and reduce reproductive success. Perceived predation risk may also occur in the context of sexual signaling, with potential consequences for sexual selection. In songbirds, singing at dawn is an important sexual signal but may also attract predators. Here, we report on 2 experiments designed to test whether perceived predation risk affects the occurrence and timing of dawn singing in a songbird community. In a pilot experiment, we broadcast predator playbacks intermittently across half a forest plot and nonpredator playbacks across the other half throughout …