To-shit to-woo
Wednesday, 20 Aug 2008 00:01
Owl may use faeces to communicate
New research has claimed owls may use their faeces as a way of communicating with other birds.
A report by scientists from the Estacion Biologica de Donana in Spain published today claims social communication between crepuscular and nocturnal birds may not be limited to simply vocal signalling.
Dr Vincenzo Penteriani and Dr María del Mar Delgado believe that owls may use their faeces and prey remains as a way of communicating their breeding status.
"I believe that this novel signalling behaviour could indicate the owls' current reproductive status to potential intruders, such as other territorial owls or non-breeding floaters," said Dr Delgado.
"Such marking behaviour may have been overlooked in birds, and I hope that our story will represent the beginning of new and stimulating explorations on other questions and mechanisms in territoriality and social communication."
Dr Penteriani added: "Faeces may represent an ideal substance for marking, because it has a minimal energetic cost to the signaller, and can continue to indicate possession of a territory when the owner is occupied in activities other than territorial defence."
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