Natural History Wanderings

Great Tit by Sandy Steinman

Planet Earth Online reports that Great Tits work together to protect nests of their neighbors from predators. Researchers found that  Great Tits are much more likely to engage in mobbing behavior against potential predators when they are familiar with their neighbors. Unfamiliar neighbors are much less likely to receive support.

Mobbing behavior is when groups of birds cooperatively attack or harass a potential predator. It may include making alarm calls swivelling on perches, hopping between perches and making exaggerated flights. The more birds involved in the mobbing behavior the more successful it is.

Great Tits have a low survival rate. 80% die in the first year and there is a 50% fatality rate between years one and two. Thus protecting nests is a critical behavior for survival.

Read more at Planet Earth Online:  Great tits join forces to defend neighbours’ nests.