Presentation Details
| Eager Empty Nesters: Does Parental Behavior Influence Fledgling Age? Elise Gray, Lynn Siefferman. Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA |
Abstract
The transition from dependent nestlings to semi-independent fledglings, is one of the most important times for developing songbirds as they are vulnerable to predation. Predation risk and fledging timing are closely tied; staying in the nest longer allows for flight feathers to mature, but risk nest predation. While current knowledge suggests that predation drives the timing of fledging, the role of parent behavior has rarely been considered. Parental response to nest predators is highly variable and repeatable. Bold parent Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) mob potential predators, while meek individuals seldom attack or retreat. Intense predator defense behaviors may signal to nestlings to fledge before full maturity. Using a correlative dataset in year one, nestlings that were reared by meek mothers fledged based on their physical maturity while offspring reared by bold female, fledging age was not related to physical maturity. During the breeding season of 2025, I quantified the boldness of parents and experimentally manipulated whether 17 day old nestlings were exposed to parental defense calls or foraging sounds via playback.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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