Birds of a feather: the pied flycatcher and mobbing behavior

The pied flycatcher is a small passerine bird whose range extends from Siberia into western Europe and the English subcontinent. The species gets its name from its characteristic feeding behavior of catching insects while in flight. Pied flycatchers are small birds that are typically no longer than 11-13 cm. The species nests in tree holes or nest boxes and males have been observed to mate with multiple females when possible. A mother typically lays 4-10 eggs which hatch 13 days after they are layed and parents will remain at the nest caring for their young for two weeks after they hatch, at which point the young are mature enough to leave their nests.

Because pied flycatchers habitate in nest boxes, the species has been condusive for studying various animal behaviors. One of the unique behaviors pied flycatchers engage in is called mobbing. Mobbing is when prey join together as a group and cooperatively harass their predators.

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Questions

Generate some hypotheses about reasons why flycatchers mob, the risks of mobbing, and how flycatchers benefit from the behavior.

This website was completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Biology 323, Animal Behavior, at Davidson College in the Spring Semester 2009.

Instructors: please click here.