Socially learnt predator recognition in nestling jackdaws

Recognizing whether other species pose a threat is critical to survival. Learning from others avoids the need for dangerous encounters, so it can be particularly valuable, especially for young, vulnerable animals. Here, we tested whether young birds can learn socially about potential dangers even while still in the nest. Using playbacks, we presented wild jackdaw nestlings with calls from an unfamiliar predatory species (Eurasian goshawk) and an unfamiliar non-predator (American golden plover) in association with either conspecific alarm calls, implying danger, or contact calls, a neutral stimulus. When predator calls were paired with jackdaw alarm calls, nestlings learned to increase their vigilance rates. By contrast, vigilance rates were unchanged after predator calls were paired with jackdaw contact calls. Responses to the non-predator were not affected by pairing with either alarm or contact calls. This indicates that jackdaw nestlings can socially learn about unfamiliar calls and raises the possibility that they may show a predisposition (or 'preparedness') towards learning fear-relevant stimuli. Understanding the interplay between preparedness and social learning in the development of anti-predator responses is increasingly important as anthropogenic influences are altering predator compositions.