An important new paper documents the startling effect tawny owl calls can have on the foraging behavior of European Robins. This effect is especially pronounced during their fall migration. Scientists have learned that these darlings of our backyards, known for their cheery red bibs, change their behavior in alarming fashion upon hearing tawny owls. As a consequence, they severely curtail their potential after-dark activity. You can read about this remarkable finding in the Journal of Animal Ecology. It emphasizes the need for a greater understanding of what predators are affecting the migratory habits and survival methods of these birds.
European Robins undertake a perilous journey every fall when they migrate south. Along their migratory path, they often stop at intervals to rest and regain their energy stores. Professor Åkesson of Lund University accordingly stresses the need for quiet, safe conditions at the robins’ layover sites. These safe havens significantly improve the robins’ odds of making it through their long journey.
Impact of Tawny Owl Calls
The study involved observing young European Robins that were exposed to calls from two different birds of prey: the tawny owl and the sparrowhawk. While the sparrowhawk’s calls did not seem to significantly affect the robins’ behavior, the presence of tawny owl calls led to notable changes. European Robins showed a significant decrease in feeding activity during darkness hours when they were able to listen to tawny owls.
This increased wariness is an expression of a general tendency for robins to be on guard against unexpected nighttime dangers. Greater nocturnal awareness indicates that European Robins are altering their foraging behavior. Now they’re evolving to mitigate against the threats of these new contenders that are in many cases murderous. Together, those findings demonstrated that the robins chose safety over feeding in surroundings where they could sense a threat from tawny owls.
Migration Strategies and Survival
European Robins, their stopover strategies are strongly determined by the dangers they encounter. That’s particularly the case at night, when threats are magnified. The research indicates that tawny owls are an important nocturnal risk. These risks are a major factor in shaping their behavior. Their behavior changes quickly after encountering any predator after that. Such behavior reflects their impressive coping mechanism, a strategy that gets them through harsh conditions while on migration.
According to professor Åkesson, knowing how animals behave in response to specific climate conditions is indispensable for making conservation decisions. By recognizing how predation risks affect migratory patterns, researchers can better inform practices that support the well-being of European Robins in their natural habitats.