The Effect of Wing-Flashing Behavior on Prey Capture Performance of San Clemente Loggerhead Shrikes.

ABSTRACT: Loggerhead shrikes (Lanius ludovicianus) are medium-sized predatory songbirds that feed on arthropods and vertebrates. Prior to attacking their prey, shrikes have been observed performing "wing-flashing" behavior, consisting of rapid fluttering of the wings that seems to emphasize the white patches on their dorsal surfaces. We sought to quantify this behavior by analyzing videos of San Clemente loggerhead shrikes attacking insect and vertebrate prey, to understand whether and how wing-flashing affects prey capture performance. We measured predictors of wing-flashing behavior, wing-flashing kinematics, and prey capture performance in terms of the number of strikes required to kill prey, prey strike durations, prey escape distances, and prey survival probabilities. Juveniles were more

SUBMITTER: Mora YA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11748143 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature