How birds judge the risk of predation during winter

I investigated how willingness to risk the exposure to a predator in order to gain access to food is expresed within a group of wintering tits (Paridae). Stuffed models of sparrowhawk, kestrel, thrush, jay, pigeon and a lump of cotton wool (similarly sized of a pigeon) were used as a potential predators ({\clqq}objects``) and were presented near a feeder. My data suggested that Paridae are able to recognise the danger of {\clqq}objects``. Birds risk exposure to sparrowhawk, kestrel and jay less than to other {\clqq}objects``. No significant relation existed between behaviour in presence of kestrel and sparrowhawks. Behaviour of Paridae on feeder is influenced by temperature and snow too