| Records |
| Author |
Black, J.M. |
| Title |
Preflight Signalling in Swans: A Mechanism for Group Cohesion and Flock Formation |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year  |
1988 |
Publication |
Ethology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Ethology |
| Volume |
79 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
143-157 |
| Keywords |
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| Abstract |
Abstract The preflight behaviour of whooper swans Cygnus cygnus and Bewick's swans Cygnus columbianus bewickii was examined to determine the adaptive significance of the ritual. Analysis of the preflight sequence revealed that the rate of signalling became significantly faster as the time of takeoff approached. This provides the first quantitative evidence that a threshold of excitability is responsible for triggering synchronised flight in social units. Two ultimate and two proximate factors that affect this threshold were uncovered. They are: 1) Maintaining proximity to partners—flight was delayed by birds with non-attentive mates and signalling lasted on average four times longer than those whose mates showed more interest. 2) Maintaining flock cohesiveness—birds which performed signals for longer periods while swimming among uninterested birds were successful in attracting followers 61% of the time. 3) The bird's feeding performance related to dominance status—less successful feeders (potentially hungry birds), flew after little time and few signals. 4) The type of feeding opportunity at the eventual destination—birds which flew to provided feeds (nutritious barley) spent less time performing preflight signals than when they flew to forage on grass fields. |
| Address |
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| Corporate Author |
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Thesis |
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| Publisher |
Blackwell Publishing Ltd |
Place of Publication |
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Editor |
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| Language |
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Summary Language |
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Original Title |
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| Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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| Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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| ISSN |
1439-0310 |
ISBN |
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Medium |
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| Area |
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Expedition |
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Conference |
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| Notes |
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Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
5315 |
| Permanent link to this record |
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| Author |
Rutberg, A.T. |
| Title |
Horse Fly Harassment and the Social Behavior of Feral Ponies |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
1987 |
Publication |
Ethology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Ethology |
| Volume |
75 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
145-154 |
| Keywords |
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| Abstract |
Abstract Horse flies (Tabanidae) on and around feral ponies in harem groups were counted at Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland, U.S.A., between June and August 1985. Harem stallions attracted the most flies; adult mares showed intermediate fly numbers, while few flies landed on foals under any circumstances. The use of thermal and chemical cues by flies selecting a host may have helped create this disparity. When flies were abundant, ponies reduced spacing within the group. Ponies in larger groups suffered from fewer flies than ponies in smaller groups. There was, however, no evidence that ponies merged into larger groups in response to fly harassment, suggesting that biting flies play little role in structuring pony social organization. |
| Address |
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| Corporate Author |
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Thesis |
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| Publisher |
Wiley/Blackwell (10.1111) |
Place of Publication |
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Editor |
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| Language |
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Summary Language |
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Original Title |
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| Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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| Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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| ISSN |
0179-1613 |
ISBN |
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Medium |
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| Area |
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Expedition |
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Conference |
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| Notes |
doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1987.tb00648.x |
Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
6417 |
| Permanent link to this record |
