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1 October 2004 Vigilance of Mallards in the presence of Greylag Geese
Christoph Randler
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Abstract

I examined vigilance behavior of Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) feeding in flocks with Greylag Geese (Anser anser) on stubble-fields in northern Germany. I measured scans/min and total scan duration, and I calculated mean scan duration. There was an inverse correlation between group size and scanning for Mallards, but not when geese and Mallards were considered as a combined flock. Mallards did not benefit from the presence of geese in terms of reduced vigilance, and they seemed to adjust their vigilance according only to Mallard flock sizes. Vigilance was higher in the presence of geese and may have been directed towards geese as potential competitors. No differences in vigilance between male and female Mallards were found. In August, when males were in eclipse plumage, they showed reduced vigilance.

Christoph Randler "Vigilance of Mallards in the presence of Greylag Geese," Journal of Field Ornithology 75(4), 404-408, (1 October 2004). https://doi.org/10.1648/0273-8570-75.4.404
Received: 17 November 2003; Accepted: 1 March 2004; Published: 1 October 2004
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KEYWORDS
flock size effect
many eyes hypothesis
mixed species flocks
scanning
vigilance
waterfowl behavior
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