Thesis
Exploring the use of olfaction in house sparrow (Passer domesticus) behavior
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
12/2015
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000004304
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/118661
Abstract
Chemosignals are an important means of communication between individuals across taxa, from bacteria to mammals. Nonetheless, a traditional belief that birds have little sense of smell has left the field of avian olfaction largely ignored. Yet there is growing evidence that olfaction is used by many avian species in various contexts, including social behavior and reproduction. Here, we explore the role of odors and chemical communication in songbird behavior using a captive house sparrow (Passer domesticus) model. Behavioral trials tested subjects' responses to 1) predator odor and 2) male and female conspecific odors. During behavioral trials, female sparrows were provided two nest boxes, each containing either a treatment or control odor. To test whether females respond to predator odors, the nest boxes contained used or unused rat bedding. We predicted that individuals would detect and avoid the predator odor by spending more time at the predator-free nest box. To test whether intraspecific odor acts as a sexual signal, preen oil from either male or female sparrows was placed in each nest box. Previous research suggests preen oil may be used as a chemosignal, but few studies have tested this. We predicted that as females enter breeding condition, motivation to find a mate would increase and females would therefore spend more time investigating the male-scented nest box. Individual response to these odors was measured using motion detectors to record the amount of time spent in or around each next box, and these data were used to deduce the female's odor preference. We found that female house sparrows avoided the treatment nest box containing used rat bedding, supporting our hypothesis and suggesting that house sparrows use olfactory cues to detect and avoid predators. However, there was no significant difference in the amount of time spent with the male or female odor. Thus, our hypothesis was not supported. It is possible that male odor alone did not pique female interest, but perhaps is one of multiple cues used in mate choice.
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Details
- Title
- Exploring the use of olfaction in house sparrow (Passer domesticus) behavior
- Creators
- Sarah Margaret Wanamaker
- Contributors
- Hubertus Georg Schwabl (Chair) - Washington State University, Biological Sciences, School ofErica Crespi (Committee Member) - Washington State University, Biological Sciences, School ofPatrick Andrew Carter (Committee Member) - Washington State University, Biological Sciences, School of
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Biological Sciences, School of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 74
- Identifiers
- 99900896399801842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis