Vertical and horizontal transmission of nest site preferences in titmice
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2013 |
Authors: |
Tore Slagsvold, Kari Wigdahl Kleiven, Ane Eriksen, Lars Erik Johannessen |
Publication/Journal: |
Animal Behaviour |
Keywords: |
animal tradition, blue tit, copying, cultural transmission, cyanistes caeruleus, great tit, nest site preference, parus major, social learning |
ISBN: |
0003-3472 |
Abstract:
Social learning is widely used among vertebrates to acquire information about a variable environment. We conducted a study of social learning in the wild which involved cross-fostering eggs of blue tits, Cyanistes caeruleus, to nests of great tits, Parus major, and vice versa. This allowed us to quantify the consequences of being reared in a different social context but in an environment otherwise natural to the birds. We studied choice of nest site by offering to the local recruits either a small or a large nestbox. Most blue tits bred in small nestboxes, whereas most great tits used the large boxes. Size of the natal nestbox affected subsequent box choice. In addition, in blue tits, more cross-fostered birds than controls nested in large nestboxes, with an opposite result for cross-fostered great tits. Apparently, as a consequence of sexual misimprinting on their foster parents, the cross-fostered young used members of the foster species as models for subsequent nest site choice. Such social copying may apply broadly to other types of behaviours and not only to the choice of nest site. This study demonstrates both vertical and horizontal transmission of nest site preference of two vertebrates in the wild. Future studies should try to find out how animals balance the use of personal experience with the information socially acquired.