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Antipredator vigilance in birds: modelling the 'edge' effect
Carole J Proctor1, Mark Broom, Graeme D Ruxton
1Centre for Statistics and Stochastic Modelling, Department of Mathematics, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QH, UK. c.j.proctor@ncl.ac.uk
Mathematical Biosciences
|August 2, 2005
Summary
Birds in flocks balance foraging and vigilance. This study models how flock position affects these strategies, finding outer birds are more vigilant, while central birds gain higher payoffs, potentially explaining dominance behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Game Theory
Background:
- Animals balance foraging and antipredator vigilance.
- Previous models assumed uniform vigilance within groups.
- Empirical studies suggest positional differences in vigilance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a model investigating positional effects on vigilance strategies.
- To analyze how food availability and predation risk influence individual strategies based on location (inner vs. outer).
Main Methods:
- Developed a theoretical model dividing the feeding area into inner and outer regions.
- Examined the trade-off between foraging and vigilance for individuals in different positions.
- Incorporated parameters like food availability and predation risk.
Main Results:
- Predicted that birds in the outer region exhibit higher vigilance than those in the inner region.
- Demonstrated that central birds consistently receive higher payoffs across various scenarios.
- The model supports the hypothesis that dominant individuals occupy central positions.
Conclusions:
- Positional effects significantly influence foraging and vigilance strategies in social groups.
- Central positions offer a strategic advantage in terms of resource acquisition and safety.
- The model provides a framework for understanding dominance hierarchies and spatial positioning in foraging flocks.