Predatory Behaviour of Young Turquoise-Browed Motmots, Eumomota Superciliosa
In: BehaviourSearch for other papers by Susan M. Smiths in
Current site
Google Scholar
Abstract
Nine young hand-reared motmots were tested for their responses to still and moving models of prey. The birds were given two series of cylindrical models. Series A bore various combinations of 4 cues: ink eye, pin eye, neck and motion. The birds responded significantly to every one, but motion was by far the most highly directing cue tested. Series B bore various colours and patterns, both as solidly coloured models and as present only on one third (either middle or end). The results from the solidly coloured models show (a) the birds were not inhibited by any plain colour tested; (b) they tended to ignore a camouflaged model; and (c) they showed strong aversion to a pattern that resembled a coral snake. The results of the coloured section models indicate that motmots are attracted to the dissimilar section only when it is one of the ends. This attraction to the different end, plus the highly directed response to motion, are probably sufficient to enable motmots to take small vertebrates such as lizards quickly and efficiently.
Purchase
Buy instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):
Institutional Login
Log in with Open Athens, Shibboleth, or your institutional credentials
Personal login
Log in with your brill.com account
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 483 | 82 | 11 |
| Full Text Views | 157 | 0 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 42 | 0 | 0 |
Predatory Behaviour of Young Turquoise-Browed Motmots, Eumomota Superciliosa
In: BehaviourSearch for other papers by Susan M. Smiths in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
Nine young hand-reared motmots were tested for their responses to still and moving models of prey. The birds were given two series of cylindrical models. Series A bore various combinations of 4 cues: ink eye, pin eye, neck and motion. The birds responded significantly to every one, but motion was by far the most highly directing cue tested. Series B bore various colours and patterns, both as solidly coloured models and as present only on one third (either middle or end). The results from the solidly coloured models show (a) the birds were not inhibited by any plain colour tested; (b) they tended to ignore a camouflaged model; and (c) they showed strong aversion to a pattern that resembled a coral snake. The results of the coloured section models indicate that motmots are attracted to the dissimilar section only when it is one of the ends. This attraction to the different end, plus the highly directed response to motion, are probably sufficient to enable motmots to take small vertebrates such as lizards quickly and efficiently.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 483 | 82 | 11 |
| Full Text Views | 157 | 0 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 42 | 0 | 0 |
