The Social Life of Greylag Geese
Patterns, Mechanisms and Evolutionary Function in an Avian Model System

A synthesis of more than twenty years of behavioural research on an established society of nearly 1000 free-living greylag geese.

Isabella B. R. Scheiber (Edited by), Brigitte M. Weiß (Edited by), Josef Hemetsberger (Edited by), Kurt Kotrschal (Edited by)

9780521822701, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 29 August 2013

249 pages, 54 b/w illus. 8 colour illus. 3 tables
23.4 x 15.7 x 1.5 cm, 0.55 kg

'[This] book provides fascinating insights into the complex social world of greylag geese and will be interesting for anyone with an interest in social organization and sociality.' Ralf H. J. M. Kurvers, The Quarterly Review of Biology

The flock of greylag geese established by Konrad Lorenz in Austria in 1973 has become an influential model animal system and one of the few worldwide with complete life-history data spanning several decades. Based on the unique records of nearly 1000 free-living greylag geese, this is a synthesis of more than twenty years of behavioural research. It provides a comprehensive overview of a complex bird society, placing it in an evolutionary framework and drawing on a range of approaches, including behavioural (personality, aggression, pair bonding and clan formation), physiological, cognitive and genetic. With contributions from leading researchers, the chapters provide valuable insight into historic and recent research on the social behaviour of geese. All aspects of goose and bird sociality are discussed in the context of parallels with mammalian social organisation, making this a fascinating resource for anyone interested in integrative approaches to vertebrate social systems.

List of contributors
Preface Kurt Kotrschal
Acknowledgements
Part I. Research Background: 1. Greylag geese: from general principles to the Konrad Lorenz flock Josef Hemetsberger, Brigitte M. Weiß and Isabella B. R. Scheiber
2. Goose research then and now Katharina Hirschenhauser, Heidi Buhrow, Helga Fischer and Kurt Kotrschal
Part II. From Individual to Clan: 3. Individuals matter: personality Simona Kralj-Fišer, Jonathan Niall Daisley and Kurt Kotrschal
4. Maintenance of the monogamous pair bond Iulia T. Nedelcu and Katharina Hirschenhauser
5. Alternative social and reproductive strategies Brigitte M. Weiß
6. Beyond the pair bond: extended family bonds and female-centred clan formation Isabella B. R. Scheiber and Brigitte M. Weiß
Part III. Costs and Benefits of Social Life: 7. Causes and consequences of aggressive behaviour and dominance rank Brigitte M. Weiß
8. The costs of sociality measured through heart rate modulation Claudia A. F. Wascher and Kurt Kotrschal
9. 'Tend and befriend': the importance of social allies in coping with social stress Isabella B. R. Scheiber
10. How to tell friend from foe: cognition in a complex society Brigitte M. Weiß, Christian Schloegl and Isabella B. R. Scheiber
Part IV. Lessons for Vertebrate Social Life: 11. The greylag goose as a model for vertebrate social complexity Isabella B. R. Scheiber, Kurt Kotrschal and Brigitte M. Weiß
Index.

Subject Areas: Birds [ornithology PSVW6], Animal ecology [PSVS], Animal behaviour [PSVP], Evolution [PSAJ], Biology, life sciences [PS]