10.5061/DRYAD.4J0ZPC8D8
Adrian, Corinna
Universität Hamburg
Griffith, Simon
Macquarie University
Naguib, Marc
Wageningen University & Research
Schuett, Wiebke
0000-0002-4149-6095
University of Sussex
Wild zebra finches are attracted towards acoustic cues from conspecific
social groups
Dryad
dataset
2022
decision-making
Foraging
playback
social information
Taeniopygia guttata
unpredictable enviroment
FOS: Biological sciences
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
https://ror.org/018mejw64
SCHU 2927/3-1
Dutch Research Council
https://ror.org/04jsz6e67
ALW.OP334
2022-02-07T00:00:00Z
2022-02-07T00:00:00Z
en
30608 bytes
3
CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Social information gathered by observing others often supplements personal
information collected from direct interactions with the physical
environment during decision making. Social information use may be
particularly beneficial in harsh environments or if resources are
distributed patchily, ephemeral and unpredictable, and hence difficult to
locate. We experimentally tested the use of acoustic cues in wild zebra
finches (Taeniopygia guttata) as they flew around their arid habitat as a
way of locating conspecifics on the ground, and potentially accessing
useful social information. Joining a conspecific group may reduce the
predation risk, and if they are foraging may also improve foraging
efficiency, as the distribution of zebra finch food (grass seed) is
scattered and unpredictable in their natural habitat, the Australian arid
zone. We conducted playback experiments along vegetated creek lines
radiating out from an artificial dam where all birds in the population
were coming for drinking water. We broadcast recordings of vocalizations
from foraging conspecific groups to birds using these creek lines to move
to or from the water into the wider habitat. Zebra finches were more
likely to land near the loudspeaker when conspecific vocalizations were
broadcast compared to white noise. Birds flying low and close to the
loudspeaker were most likely to land. Our results indicate that zebra
finches use acoustic cues of conspecifics as a source of social
information for grouping decisions. Use of such information may also
enhance foraging efficiency in environments with unpredictable and scarce
foraging locations, and reduce predation risk for calling and responding
individuals.