DOI: 10.5061/dryad.5mkkwh73j
title: Data from: Disturbance and predation risk influence vigilance synchrony of Black-necked Cranes Grus nigricollis, but not as strongly as expected

description: Animals monitor surrounding dangers independently or cooperatively
 (synchronized and coordinated vigilance), with independent and
 synchronized scanning being prevalent. Coordinated vigilance, including
 unique sentinel behaviour, is rare in nature, since it is time-consuming
 and limited in terms of benefits. No evidence showed animals adopt
 alternative vigilance strategies during antipredation scanning yet.
 Considering the non-independent nature of both synchronization and
 coordination, we assessed whether group members could keep alert
 synchronously or in a coordinated fashion under different circumstance. We
 studied how human behaviour and species-specific variables impacted
 individual and collective vigilance of globally threatened black-necked
 cranes (Grus nigricollis) and explored behaviour-based wildlife
 management. We tested both predation risk (number of juveniles in group)
 and human disturbance (level and distance) effects on individual and
 collective antipredation vigilance of black-necked crane families. Adults
 spent significantly more time (proportion and duration) on scanning than
 juveniles, and parents with juveniles behaved more vigilant. Both adults
 and juveniles increased time allocation and duration on vigilance with
 observer proximity. Deviation between observed and expected collective
 vigilance varied with disturbance and predation risk from zero, but not
 significantly so, indicating that an independent vigilance strategy was
 adopted by black-necked crane couples. The birds showed synchronized
 vigilance in low disturbance areas, with fewer juveniles and far from
 observers; otherwise, they scanned in coordinated fashion. The collective
 vigilance, from synchronized to coordinated pattern, varied as a function
 of observer distance that helped us determine a safe distance of 403.75m
 for the most vulnerable family groups with two juveniles. We argue that
 vigilance could constitute a prime indicator in behaviour-based species
 conservation, and we suggesting a safe distance of at least 400m should be
 considered in future tourist management.Animals monitor surrounding
 dangers independently or cooperatively (synchronized and coordinated
 vigilance), with independent and synchronized scanning being prevalent.
 Coordinated vigilance, including unique sentinel behaviour, is rare in
 nature, since it is time-consuming and limited in terms of benefits. No
 evidence showed animals adopt alternative vigilance strategies during
 antipredation scanning yet. Considering the non-independent nature of both
 synchronization and coordination, we assessed whether group members could
 keep alert synchronously or in a coordinated fashion under different
 circumstance. We studied how human behaviour and species-specific
 variables impacted individual and collective vigilance of globally
 threatened black-necked cranes (Grus nigricollis) and explored
 behaviour-based wildlife management. We tested both predation risk (number
 of juveniles in group) and human disturbance (level and distance) effects
 on individual and collective antipredation vigilance of black-necked crane
 families. Adults spent significantly more time (proportion and duration)
 on scanning than juveniles, and parents with juveniles behaved more
 vigilant. Both adults and juveniles increased time allocation and duration
 on vigilance with observer proximity. Deviation between observed and
 expected collective vigilance varied with disturbance and predation risk
 from zero, but not significantly so, indicating that an independent
 vigilance strategy was adopted by black-necked crane couples. The birds
 showed synchronized vigilance in low disturbance areas, with fewer
 juveniles and far from observers; otherwise, they scanned in coordinated
 fashion. The collective vigilance, from synchronized to coordinated
 pattern, varied as a function of observer distance that helped us
 determine a safe distance of 403.75m for the most vulnerable family groups
 with two juveniles. We argue that vigilance could constitute a prime
 indicator in behaviour-based species conservation, and we suggesting a
 safe distance of at least 400m should be considered in future tourist
 management.