Antipredatory behavior of incubating subtropical lapwings (2020-2022)
Řešitel: Ing. Kateřina Brynychová
Tropical birds life histories differ in many aspects from temperate ones. They live longer, are less aggressive and put more energy in self-maintenance at the expense of reproduction. Due to longer breeding seasons in tropics, species can have more nesting attempts, exposing them to higher predation risk. The aim of the project is to examine Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus) antipredator behavior during incubation and its effect on breeding success in subtropical conditions. Using dummy predators and videorecording we will analyze variation in antipredator responses to reveal whether (1) sex, incubation effort or previous breeding investment predict antipredator
response and (2) parental aggressiveness predicts seasonal reproduction success. Relationships between parental response and breeding success can reveal how the increased aggression can penalize birds breeding in hot climate and which attributes can contribute to profiling this littleexplored life history trait in subtropical birds.