Jackal as a predator of the Helmeted Guinefowl

Grouping Behaviour and Anti-Predator Responses in the Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris

van Niekerk, J.H., Forcina, G. and Megía-Palma, R.

Simple Summary:

This study deals with the role of group formation in the Helmeted Guineafowl, a large subSaharan highly social galliform, about predatory pressure. We focused on a population from South Africa exposed to the frequent chase of both aerial and terrestrial predators, namely eagles and jackals, recording prey and predator behaviour along with the outcome of predatory encounters. While all predator attacks were directed to prey aggregates rather than lone individuals, a tendency for chasing groups of a larger size seemingly emerged in jackals. However, unlike aerial predators, these do not seem to induce high fear in guineafowl, eliciting hardly predictable anti-predator responses. This seemingly suggests that guineafowls perceive eagles and jackals differently despite the comparable hunting rate. While the high predator-induced
fear points to a well-established predator-prey system in the case of aerial predators, jackals, mostly carrion eaters, are perceived as a minor threat accounting for the failure in eliciting a well-defined defensive behaviour.

Abstract:

Little is known about landbird group dynamics in response to predation. Here, we describe the interactions between the Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris) and its predators regarding the survival advantages grouping behaviour may provide. Livestream webcam observations were conducted in Madikwe Game Reserve (South Africa) from August 2020 to December 2021. Emphasis was placed on predator–prey interaction and its effect on group size and structure in a spatial framework. Although Black-Backed Jackals (Lupulella mesomelas) are not adept at hunting birds, they might negatively impact guineafowl by curtailing their feeding time during winter with constant harassment. We found that these canids often approach larger and denser groups in the morning and late evenings. Surprisingly, guineafowl most often responded by
standing nearby. On the contrary, a higher predator-induced response was associated with the presence of predatory birds, arguably as part of an evolutionary stable prey-predator system. This line of thought is also supported by the lack of a precise defensive mechanism elicited by jackal attacks, unlike those of aerial predators. Nevertheless, we contend that grouping in Helmeted Guineafowl is a defensive strategy to respond to predator attacks while individuals engage in daily activities.