The pace-of-life syndrome (POLS) hypothesis for animal personality proposes that variation among individuals in life-history strategies is associated with consistent differences behavior. We tested predictions of this the superb fairy-wren, Malurus cyaneus, by investigating long-term individual risk-related behaviors (latency to enter a novel artificial environment, exploration, activity and response mirror image stimulation) survival. found between these (adjusted repeatability exploration...

Songbirds are important models for understanding the mechanisms and fitness consequences of imitative vocal learning. Although effects early-life environmental social conditions on song learning well-established, impact early sound exposure has received surprisingly little attention. Yet recent evidence hints at auditory sensitivity in songbird embryos, including zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata), a classic model species Here, we tested whether prenatal to incubation calls-highly rhythmic...

In birds, singing behaviours play a critical role in mating and territory defence. Although birdsong can signal individual quality personality, very few studies have explored the relationship between personality song characteristics, none has investigated this females. Here, we examined relationships complexity two ecologically relevant traits (exploration aggressiveness) wild superb fairy-wrens ( Malurus cyaneus ), species which both sexes learn to produce complex songs. First, assessed...

Individual differences in aggressiveness, if consistent across time and contexts, may contribute to the long-term maintenance of social hierarchies complex animal societies. Although agonistic interactions have previously been used calculate individuals' positions within a dominance hierarchy, date repeatability behaviour has not tested when calculating rank. Here, we examined consistency relevance aggressiveness as personality trait free-flying population greylag geese (

Abstract Darwin’s finch species in the Galápagos Islands are famously distinguished by their morphology but less attention has been given to behavioral differences between species. In this study, we compared behavior four on Floreana Island: small ground ( Geospiza fuliginosa ), medium G. fortis tree Camarhynchus parvulus and C. pauper ). After capturing birds using mist-nets, measured three traits: (1) boldness during human handling, (2) exploration a novel environment, (3) aggressiveness...

Abstract Personality traits can remain consistent throughout adult life, but it is less clear when these behavioural differences first arise and whether they are maintained across ontogenetic stages. We measured personality three life stages (nestling, fledgling, adult) in a wild population of superb fairy-wrens ( Malurus cyaneus ). assessed (1) boldness (response to human handling, at all stages), (2) exploration novel environment, fledglings adults) (3) aggressiveness mirror-image...

Vocal production learning (the capacity to learn produce vocalizations) is a multidimensional trait that involves different mechanisms during temporal and socioecological contexts. Key outstanding questions are whether vocal begins the embryonic stage mothers play an active role in this through pupil-directed vocalization behaviors. We examined variation copy similarity (an indicator of learning) eight species from songbird family Maluridae, using comparative experimental approaches. found...

Understanding when learning begins is critical for identifying the factors that shape both developmental course and function of information acquisition. Until recently, sufficient development neural substrates any sort vocal to begin in songbirds was thought be reached well after hatching. New research shows embryonic gene activation outcome can modulated by sound exposure ovo . We tested whether avian embryos across lineages differ their auditory response strength , which we studied...

Songbird vocal learning is a popular model for understanding the evolution of complex communication. When multiple tutors are available, juvenile songbirds prefer to learn vocalizations from some over others, their preferences partly guided by postnatal acoustic experience and social interactions. The potential prenatal sound also influence song tutor choice remains largely untested, despite recent evidence that affects other aspects songbird development. Previously, we showed Australian...

The decision to flee from an approaching threat represents a trade‐off between the costs and benefits of flight. In research date, particular interest has been given effects urbanisation on predator escape behaviour. However, these differences are most often studied at population rather than individual level, which makes it difficult disentangle whether site‐specific in avoidance due behavioural plasticity or non‐random distribution phenotypes. this study, we measured flight initiation...

Selection should act on parental care and favour investment decisions that optimize the number of offspring produced. Such predictions have been robustly tested in predation risk contexts, but less is known about alternative functions under conditions parasitism. The avian vampire fly ( Philornis downsi ) a myasis-causing ectoparasite accidentally introduced to Galápagos Islands, one major mortality causes Darwin's finch nests. With an 11-year dataset spanning 21 years, we examine...

Personality syndromes in animals may have adaptive benefits for survival. For example, while engaging predator deterrence, reactive individuals tend to prioritise their own survival, proactive engage riskier behaviours. Studies linking animal personality measured captivity with individual fitness or behaviours the wild are sparse, which is a gap knowledge this study aims address. We used playback experiments superb fairy-wrens ( Malurus cyaneus ), common Australian songbird cooperative...

Adoption is a form of alloparenting in which an individual raises unrelated offspring, although it sometimes unclear whether this behaviour adaptive or the product reproductive error. Here, we report observation intraspecific adoption cooperatively breeding songbird, Superb Fairy-wren Malurus cyaneus. In colour-banded population at Cleland Conservation Park, South Australia, pair with three nutritionally dependent fledglings adopted additional male fledgling from adjacent territory. The...

Abstract Maintaining suitable vegetation within urban environments is crucial for wildlife conservation in the face of anthropogenic habitat change. Here, we report on a citizen science project, involving students from seven schools across south‐eastern Australia, that investigated effectiveness as bird nests. The ‘nest concealment hypothesis’ posits should obscure nest predator detection, thus reducing likelihood predation. To test this, participating school‐aged scientists constructed...

Abstract Although in-nest parasitism can reduce the fitness of avian hosts, severity these effects may vary with host physiology and behaviour. If certain nestling behaviours are beneficial for resisting parasitism, then selection favour some behavioural phenotypes over others. Here, we tested whether differences in behaviour mediate negative using small ground finches (Geospiza fuliginosa), on Floreana Island, that had been parasitized by invasive vampire fly (Philornis downsi). We first...

Abstract The avian beak is a key morphological trait used for foraging. If parasites alter shape, we may expect changes in host foraging behaviour. Larvae of the vampire fly Philornis downsi cause naris enlargement Darwin's finch nestlings when first and second instar larvae consume keratin, blood tissue from inside developing host. This malformation persists into adulthood, where nares that are >15% total length considered enlarged. We measured effects parasite‐induced on behaviour,...

Parasitism is the most common feeding mode on earth. But how do parasites affect behavior of their hosts? Darwin’s finches Galápagos Islands have a parasite called avian vampire fly, which lay its eggs inside bird nests. When hatch, immature flies enter nestlings’ beaks via nostrils and feed blood tissue. The few nestlings that survive tend to deformed beaks. We wanted find out this beak damage changes finch’s body condition once it leaves nest. This study was conducted in over 10 years....