The use of the rump patch by Gallinula chloropus in relation to predation [Uso del escudo anal por Gallinula chloropus en relacion con el peligro por predacion]
Por:
Alvarez F.
Publicada:
1 ene 1989
Resumen:
The moorhen possesses a contrasting white rump patch which is shown by rapid tail raising. Rate of rump patch presentation per minute was higher when some raptor was flying over the subjects or when they were either vigilant or in a zone of greater danger of predation (on land rather than on deep water and distant from bulrush thickets). Rate of rump patch exhibition was also higher when the subjects were alone. Frequency of tail raising may be a signal to the predator of the performer's level of vigilance and hence of its predisposition to flee. -from English summary
Filiaciones:
Alvarez F.:
Estacion Biologica de Donana-C.S.I.C., Apdo. 1056, Sevilla, Spain, Spain