Avian mobbing in different seasons and elevations: a playback experiment at Mt. Gongga
- 1Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, China
Abstract
Vocalization is an effective way that birds use to communicate. Rapid recognition of acoustic signals and behavioral responses is crucial for the survival and reproductive success of birds. Understanding how prey species respond to predator calls is important to understanding the avian community communication network. We played the sound of the Collared Owlet (Taenioptynx brodiei) in the forest habitats of eastern Mt. Gongga and compared differences in the response of avian communities in different seasons and elevations. We explored determinants of mobbing behavior at both species and community levels by integrating phylogenetic relationships, functional traits, and environmental factors. We found that mobbing assemblages were dominated by Passerines, with Paridae contributing the highest species richness and abundance. Interestingly, Green-backed Tit (Parus monticolus) was the most frequent and numerous participant, which was the primary initiator of collective anti-predator responses. Mobbing events were primarily driven by small-bodied bird species, and participation showed a positive correlation with the hand-wing index. Higher mobbing frequency and more intense behavioral responses occurred during the breeding season and in the 2,800–3,200 m elevational band. Additionally, resident birds exhibited significantly higher mobbing times compared to migrants. We also found a marginally significant negative correlation between the number of mobbing individuals and the ambient temperature. This study improved our understanding of anti-predator strategies of birds and set up an example for exploring the avian community communication network in other regions of the world.
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BibTeX
@article{fu2026avian,
title = {{Avian mobbing in different seasons and elevations: a playback experiment at Mt. Gongga}},
author = {Shijia Fu and Zhixiong Yang and Jiayu Zhang and Jiawei Guo and Yibo Wang and Yongjie Wu},
journal = {Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.48130/jzser-0026-0010},
url = {https://doi.org/10.48130/jzser-0026-0010},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Avian mobbing in different seasons and elevations: a playback experiment at Mt. Gongga
AU - Shijia Fu
AU - Zhixiong Yang
AU - Jiayu Zhang
AU - Jiawei Guo
AU - Yibo Wang
AU - Yongjie Wu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research
DO - 10.48130/jzser-0026-0010
UR - https://doi.org/10.48130/jzser-0026-0010
AB - Vocalization is an effective way that birds use to communicate. Rapid recognition of acoustic signals and behavioral responses is crucial for the survival and reproductive success of birds. Understanding how prey species respond to predator calls is important to understanding the avian community communication network. We played the sound of the Collared Owlet (Taenioptynx brodiei) in the forest habitats of eastern Mt. Gongga and compared differences in the response of avian communities in different seasons and elevations. We explored determinants of mobbing behavior at both species and community levels by integrating phylogenetic relationships, functional traits, and environmental factors. We found that mobbing assemblages were dominated by Passerines, with Paridae contributing the highest species richness and abundance. Interestingly, Green-backed Tit (Parus monticolus) was the most frequent and numerous participant, which was the primary initiator of collective anti-predator responses. Mobbing events were primarily driven by small-bodied bird species, and participation showed a positive correlation with the hand-wing index. Higher mobbing frequency and more intense behavioral responses occurred during the breeding season and in the 2,800–3,200 m elevational band. Additionally, resident birds exhibited significantly higher mobbing times compared to migrants. We also found a marginally significant negative correlation between the number of mobbing individuals and the ambient temperature. This study improved our understanding of anti-predator strategies of birds and set up an example for exploring the avian community communication network in other regions of the world.
SN - 1439-0469
SN - 0947-5745
ER -