During this time, the exhausted dunlins weren’t flocking despite the elevated danger. However, a notable spike in successful kills by falcons was observed two hours post high tide. Comprehensive observations spanning 34 days revealed that dunlins opted for over-ocean flocking 68% of the time, primarily during periods with heightened predation risk. Thus, the research pivoted to studying dunlin behavior. Identifying genuine versus feigned falcon attacks posed a challenge. The dedication and passion of Dekker, an independent scientist with a fervor for observing peregrines, were unparalleled, making his contribution invaluable. Their research drew from an extensive repository of data meticulously gathered by Dekker over decades. Dick Dekker, embarked on testing this theory. The Wolf-Mangel model theorizes that prey facing hunger might prioritize foraging over evading predators, presenting an exploitable vulnerability. Peregrine falcons and the Wolf-Mangel model This adaptation, though effective, comes at the cost of energy and reduced foraging time. However, with the rising presence of falcons in the 1990s, the dunlins adapted, substituting roosting for over-ocean flocking to evade the predator’s ambush. The geography of these mudflats and the tidal patterns play a significant role in the interaction between dunlins and their primary predator, the peregrine falcon.ĭuring high tide, the proximity of shore vegetation makes it more convenient for falcons to ambush the roosting dunlins. The study focused on the Pacific dunlins, birds known to flock in large numbers on temperate mudflats like Boundary Bay in British Columbia during winter. However, his observations of raptors, particularly behaviors such as conspicuous perching, resonated with the theoretical framework laid out by Wolf and Mangel. Ydenberg stated that these portrayals often fall into the realm of fiction for many empirical biologists. He drew attention to a common depiction of intelligent predatory tactics in popular culture, referencing the cunning velociraptors of Jurassic Park. ![]() ![]() Ronald Ydenberg from Simon Fraser University, the lead researcher behind the study published in Frontiers in Ethology, commented on the general skepticism surrounding such sophisticated strategies in predators. These raptors appear to intentionally exhaust their prey, thereby enhancing their subsequent hunting success.ĭr. Recent observations of peregrine falcons have provided groundbreaking evidence. Until recently, empirical evidence supporting this model was scarce. ![]() The dance between predators, like peregrine falcons, and their prey has fascinated biologists for ages.Ī prevailing theory, known as the Wolf-Mangel model, proposes an intriguing notion that predators might employ deceptive tactics, such as false attacks, to wear down their prey or compel them to adopt riskier behaviors. Predation and survival are at the core of nature’s circle of life.
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