A Comparison of Mobbing Behaviour in Four Passerine Iberian Species during Breeding Season

Abstract

Mobbing is a common anti-predatory behavior in birds consisting of loud calls to alert other individuals in the vicinity and aggressive displays in order to drive away a predator. In spite of the extensive bibliography available regarding mobbing behaviour, little is known about how mobbing varies across species inhabiting the same area. Here, we aimed to compare the mobbing response of four Iberian passerine species: the azure-winged magpie (Cyanopica cooki), the spotless starling (Sturnus unicolor), the great tit (Parus major) and the common blackbird (Turdus merula). To elicit mobbing response in free ranging birds we used a stuffed model of tawny owl (Strix aluco) along with playbacks of calls of this species. We analysed the frequency of observed mobbing events in each species, the mobbing intensity and its duration. Results showed that mobbing displays in C. cooki and S. unicolor were performed in bigger groups in comparison with T. merula and P. major, however, the duration of the mobbing response was shorter. Moreover, we found the lowest level of mobbing intensity in T. merula, the most solitary species studied. Our findings indicate that mobbing varies across species in the same area, suggesting that birds adapt mobbing behavior to the particular characteristics of their species and that social complexity might influence these differences.