The huge groups take off in sync, but only when the majority wants to do so.
Hundreds or even thousands of jackdaws are known to launch into the winter skies at once from the treetops. Now, ecologists know that this synchronized exodus is timed with a sophisticated behavior called “consensus decision-making,” where the group’s majority chooses the birds’ actions., pitch into the sky in huge numbers come sunrise and then split into smaller groups to feed throughout the day.
The gregarious birds prefer to leave as a group, although “each jackdaw will have a slightly different preference about when they want to leave, based on factors like their size and hunger,” Alex Dibnah, a University of Exeter graduate student and lead author of the study, said in a. “Leaving the roost together has various benefits, including safety from predators and access to information such as where to find food.
This research shows the critical role vocalizations play in group decision-making for this species. One next step for this research, according to the authors, is to figure out how human-created noise pollution might affect this process and the spread of information throughout these communities.“If the birds can’t hear each other and can’t form a consensus to leave together, it could have big impacts on their population.”Hannah Seo is a science contributor at Popular Science.
Norge Siste Nytt, Norge Overskrifter
Similar News:Du kan også lese nyheter som ligner på denne som vi har samlet inn fra andre nyhetskilder.
Flocks of jackdaws 'democratically' decide when to take flight at onceA crescendo of squawks from hundreds of roosting jackdaws may help the flock reach a 'democratic consensus' about when to take off all at once
Les mer »
Georgia voting shattering turnout records after MSNBC, CNN, others ran with 'Jim Crow' accusationsThe liberal media ran rampant with comparisons between Georgia's voting law and the era of Jim Crow, but the state's primary turnout paints a very different picture.
Les mer »
Georgia's Primary Election: What time do polls open and close?Georgia's Primary Election: What you need to know on how to vote in Georgia's primary election, where to vote, how to vote and what time the polls close.
Les mer »
Better Call Saul’s Co-Creator Is As Shocked As You By That Big Death'Sometimes the chickens come home to roost.' PeterGould breaks down BetterCallSaul’s explosive midseason finale—and teases what's to come.
Les mer »
Los Angeles Democrats finally elected their first sheriff. Four years later, they have buyer’s remorse.Los Angeles Sheriff Alex Villanueva is banking on the Latino vote and angst about public safety to carry him to reelection on June 7 in the reliably left-leaning area
Les mer »
Black Voices Crossover Conversation: Ward Remap Process Leaves Residents Feeling Left OutChicago City Council members approve a new ward map for 2023, but not everyone is happy. We break down what’s changed and what hasn’t in a special LatinoVoicesWTTW BlackVoicesWTTW crossover conversation.
Les mer »