Chick-A-Dee Case
1. Why do black-capped chickadees produce longer “chick-a-dee” alarm call for more threatening predators? Do more intense D notes signaling caught more attention from the predators? How can this be explained by natural selection (Templeton, Greene, & Davis, 2005)?
Evidently, chickadees produce more intense “chick-a-dee” alarm call for smaller predators than larger predators. We could explore why natural selection favor this signaling behavior because producing longer D notes tend to caught more attention from the predators as well as increase the level of exposure under threat. In this way, we can understand how chickadees balance benefit and risk ratio between recruiting other birds for help while increasing their conspicuousness and exposure
to danger.
2. Do black-capped chickadees change their signaling behavior for different receivers? Will they be more likely to produce more intense alarm calls for kin or relatives than non-relatives (Templeton, Greene, & Davis, 2005)?
By manipulating different receivers (relatives vs. non-relatives), we could examine whether chickadees change the intensity of alarm signaling with different relatedness relationship. In this way, we can understand whether chickadees are more likely to produce intense alarm calls (e.g., more intense D notes) for kin or relatives than non-relatives. In this way, they can enhance the survival of their kin and increase the fitness of their own offspring as well.
3. Can black-capped chickadees perceive similar alarm signals from other conspecific signalers that share the same predators with them? Do they produce false alarms as a competitive strategy for competing niches or food resources (Templeton, Greene, & Davis, 2005)?
It might be interesting to measure whether black-capped chickadees perceive similar alarm signals from other conspecific signalers or detecting the degree of threat. In this way, we can understand the complexity of chickadees communication system. Also, we could examine whether chickadees use false alarm as a mechanism to compete same niches or food resources with other bird species. In this way, they can enhance their fitness and ensure their survival.
Evidently, chickadees produce more intense “chick-a-dee” alarm call for smaller predators than larger predators. We could explore why natural selection favor this signaling behavior because producing longer D notes tend to caught more attention from the predators as well as increase the level of exposure under threat. In this way, we can understand how chickadees balance benefit and risk ratio between recruiting other birds for help while increasing their conspicuousness and exposure
to danger.
2. Do black-capped chickadees change their signaling behavior for different receivers? Will they be more likely to produce more intense alarm calls for kin or relatives than non-relatives (Templeton, Greene, & Davis, 2005)?
By manipulating different receivers (relatives vs. non-relatives), we could examine whether chickadees change the intensity of alarm signaling with different relatedness relationship. In this way, we can understand whether chickadees are more likely to produce intense alarm calls (e.g., more intense D notes) for kin or relatives than non-relatives. In this way, they can enhance the survival of their kin and increase the fitness of their own offspring as well.
3. Can black-capped chickadees perceive similar alarm signals from other conspecific signalers that share the same predators with them? Do they produce false alarms as a competitive strategy for competing niches or food resources (Templeton, Greene, & Davis, 2005)?
It might be interesting to measure whether black-capped chickadees perceive similar alarm signals from other conspecific signalers or detecting the degree of threat. In this way, we can understand the complexity of chickadees communication system. Also, we could examine whether chickadees use false alarm as a mechanism to compete same niches or food resources with other bird species. In this way, they can enhance their fitness and ensure their survival.