Red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) respond to alarm calls of Eurasian jays (Garrulus glandarius)

摘要: Recognition of heterospecific (interspecific) alarm calls has been demonstrated in birds and mammals, but bird–mammal interactions have rarely studied. Here, I tested the hypothesis that red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) are able to recognize a sympatric bird species, Eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius), respond adequately with anti-predator behaviour. Both animals preyed upon by same predators. To test whether would react calls, recorded behaviour during playbacks control (territorial songs songbirds) silence. Differences between treatment (songbirds) silence were not significant. Seven 13 responded escape after broadcasting jays. Further, spent less time patch, expressed higher vigilance, showed more rapid head body movements. These results suggest vocalizations jays discriminate them from equally loud non-threatening sounds.