The influence of multimodal warning displays on avian avoidance behaviour

Abstract

This thesis empirically investigates the effects of insect multimodal warning displays on avian predatory decisions. Specifically, it examines the effects of pyrazine odour, and the agitated buzzing of a bumble bee on innate and learned avoidance behaviour of birds towards yellow and red prey, and the memory of these learned avoidances. Domestic chicks were used as the experimental subjects for the laboratory experiments, and European robins for the field experiment.