Escape response and perch-site choice in shrikes: effects of human disturbance in Europe and Southeast Asia

Background Anthropogenic pressure, including hunting and habitat modification, is a major driver of behavioral variation in birds, particularly in regions with differing conservation regimes and human disturbance levels. Flight initiation distance (FID) is a widely used metric of antipredator behavior that reflects both immediate risk perception and longer-term behavioral adjustments to human activity. This study compares habitat choice and escape responses of two closely related species, the Red-backed Shrike ( Lanius collurio ) and the Brown Shrike ( Lanius cristatus ), occurring in regions with contrasting levels of human pressure: Central Europe (Poland) and Southeast Asia (Laos). We tested whether the two species differ in their use of perching sites relative to roads and built-up areas, and whether FID is shaped by proximity to human infrastructure and species identity. Methods Field data were collected in spring 2024 in agricultural and peri-urban landscapes in Poland and Laos. A total of 171 perching sites were recorded (102 for Red-backed Shrikes and 69 for Brown Shrikes). For each observation, FID, starting distance (SD), perch height, and distances to the nearest dirt road, asphalt road, and built-up area were measured. Determinants of FID were examined using linear models with log-transformed response variables. Model selection was based on an information-theoretic approach using Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), and only models with Δ AIC ≤ 2 were retained for inference. Results Perch-site choice differed significantly between the two species. Brown Shrikes occurred at greater distances from built-up areas. FID was significantly greater in Brown Shrikes than in Red-backed Shrikes. Distance to the nearest built-up area was negatively associated with FID, while SD had a positive impact. These results indicate that shrikes inhabiting regions with higher hunting pressure exhibit stronger avoidance behavior and altered spatial responses to human infrastructure, highlighting the role of regional anthropogenic context in shaping antipredator behavior.