1
|
Wang C, Zhao X, Tao B, Peng J, Wang H, Yu J, Jin L. Do domestic budgerigars perceive predation risk? Anim Cogn 2024; 27:8. [PMID: 38429588 PMCID: PMC10907484 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-024-01847-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Predation risk may affect the foraging behavior of birds. However, there has been little research on the ability of domestic birds to perceive predation risk and thus adjust their feeding behavior. In this study, we tested whether domestic budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) perceived predation risk after the presentation of specimens and sounds of sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus), domestic cats (Felis catus), and humans, and whether this in turn influenced their feeding behavior. When exposed to visual or acoustic stimuli, budgerigars showed significantly longer latency to feed under sparrowhawk, domestic cat, and human treatments than with controls. Budgerigars responded more strongly to acoustic stimuli than visual stimuli, and they showed the longest latency to feed and the least number of feeding times in response to sparrowhawk calls. Moreover, budgerigars showed shorter latency to feed and greater numbers of feeding times in response to human voices than to sparrowhawk or domestic cat calls. Our results suggest that domestic budgerigars may identify predation risk through visual or acoustic signals and adjust their feeding behavior accordingly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chang Wang
- Jilin Engineering Laboratory for Avian Ecology and Conservation Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Xueqi Zhao
- Jilin Engineering Laboratory for Avian Ecology and Conservation Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Baodan Tao
- Jilin Engineering Laboratory for Avian Ecology and Conservation Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Jiaqi Peng
- Jilin Engineering Laboratory for Avian Ecology and Conservation Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Haitao Wang
- Jilin Engineering Laboratory for Avian Ecology and Conservation Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China
| | - Jiangping Yu
- Jilin Engineering Laboratory for Avian Ecology and Conservation Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China.
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China.
| | - Longru Jin
- Jilin Engineering Laboratory for Avian Ecology and Conservation Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China.
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Barbosa-Moyano H, Sobral G, de Oliveira CA. Glucocorticoid metabolites in an ex situ nocturnal bird, the tropical screech owl Megascops choliba: effects of sex, activity period and inter-individual variation. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 11:coad016. [PMID: 37101705 PMCID: PMC10123863 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coad016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids mediate physiological processes to obtain energy, presenting daily variation in basal levels that may be related to behavioural activity pattern. Identification of plasticity in the secretion of these hormones is essential to understand their effects on physiology and behaviour of wild birds and, therefore, their success in their natural or artificial environment. Serial endocrine evaluations are facilitated by implementing non-invasive methodologies that minimize possible effects of manipulation on the animal's physiological variables. However, non-invasive endocrine-behavioural studies in nocturnal birds, such as owls, are immature. The present work aimed to validate an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to quantify glucocorticoid metabolites (MGC) in Megascops choliba as well as to evaluate differences in their production at the individual, sexual or daily level. We recorded the behaviour of nine owls during three continuous days to establish activity budget under captive conditions and aiming to correlate with daily MGC variation. The EIA proved to be effective in analytical assays and in pharmacological testing with synthetic ACTH, validating this immunoassay for the species. Additionally, individual differences in MGC production were confirmed in relation to the time of day, especially at 1700 and 2100, but not in relation to sex. During night hours, the owls showed greater behavioural activity, positively related to MGC values. Higher MGC concentrations were significantly related to greater expressions of active behaviours, such as maintenance, while lower MGC concentrations were recorded during moments of higher alertness and resting. The results presented show daily MGC variation to be inversed in this nocturnal species. Our findings can aid future theoretical studies of daily rhythm and evaluations of challenging and/or disturbing situations that result in changes in behaviour or hormonal cascades of these changes in ex situ populations of owls.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heriberto Barbosa-Moyano
- Corresponding author: Departamento de Reprodução Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, CEP: 05508270, São Paulo (SP), Brazil. Tel: +55 11 94856-3251;
| | - Gisela Sobral
- Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade NUPEM/UFRJ, Av. São José do Barreto, 764–São José do Barreto, Macaé – Rio de Janeiro (RJ), 27965-045, Brazil
| | - Claudio Alvarenga de Oliveira
- Departamento de Reprodução Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, CEP: 05508270, São Paulo (SP), Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Individual Responses of Captive Amazon Parrots to Routine Handling Can Reflect Their Temperament. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13040738. [PMID: 36830525 PMCID: PMC9952057 DOI: 10.3390/ani13040738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Individual responses to physical restraint and temperament have been assessed in birds of several species; however, there is a paucity of research which investigates both aspects, especially in captive parrots. This lack of studies raises doubts about which temperament traits, if any, are evidenced during handling and if the intensity of responses to restraint is affected by behavioral training programs, a common practice used in ex situ conservation programs. To understand more about the subject, this study aimed to identify the main temperament dimensions of parrots and investigate their relationship with response to physical restraint for blood collection. A secondary aim was to evaluate whether parrots exhibited higher responsiveness to physical restraint after training to improve flight capacity and increase aversion to humans. The main dimensions identified were activity, neophilia, vigilance, and fearfulness. The more fearful parrots in temperament evaluations were more responsive to physical restraint, showing more vocalizations and struggle attempts than the less fearful ones. After training, the parrots showed higher responsiveness to physical restraint. We suggest that physical restraint for routine handling, such as blood collection, could be a feasible option for centers of rehabilitation to use to obtain data on individual behavioral differences in fear responses.
Collapse
|
4
|
Barbosa-Moyano H, de Oliveira CA. Temperament traits and glucocorticoid metabolites in tropical screech owl (Megascops choliba). Appl Anim Behav Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2023.105866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
|
5
|
Meira JES, Nogueira-Filho SLG, Mendl M, Lima SGC, Fureix C, Nogueira SSC. Responses to environmental enrichment are associated with personality characteristics in chestnut-bellied seed finches (Sporophila angolensis). Behav Processes 2023; 204:104801. [PMID: 36470329 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2022.104801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) is used to promote natural behaviours in captive animals and may hold promise as a form of pre-release training, a strategy for improving coping skills of translocated birds. We investigated the use of EE to enhance foraging and vigilance behaviours of captive Sporophila angolensis, which may be related to post-release survival. We also evaluated whether consistent individual behavioural differences affected birds' responses to EE. We submitted 19 captive seed-finches to three short-term challenges: tonic immobility (TI), new environment (NE) and new object (NO) tests. TI behaviour is related to fear/escape response to potential predators and novelty tests (NE and NO) assess neophobia, which are ecologically relevant personality traits influencing the shyness-boldness continuum. We noted a pronounced variability among the individuals' personality traits, both in their fear and escape-related responses in the TI test and along shy/bold z-scores in NE and NO tests. During a period of enrichment, birds spent more time foraging and less time in vigilance states compared with both control phases. Personality traits of the birds affected their responses to enrichment with bolder birds spending more time foraging. The EE-related decrease in vigilance was independent of the birds' personality traits. Our findings highlight interactions between personality and rearing environment that may impact post-release outcomes for translocated animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jaqueline E S Meira
- Laboratório de Etologia Aplicada, Universidade Estadual Santa Cruz, Rodovia Jorge Amado km 16, 45662-900 Ilhéus, BA, Brazil.
| | - Sérgio L G Nogueira-Filho
- Laboratório de Etologia Aplicada, Universidade Estadual Santa Cruz, Rodovia Jorge Amado km 16, 45662-900 Ilhéus, BA, Brazil.
| | - Michael Mendl
- Animal Welfare and Behaviour Group, Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, UK.
| | - Stella G C Lima
- Laboratório de Etologia Aplicada, Universidade Estadual Santa Cruz, Rodovia Jorge Amado km 16, 45662-900 Ilhéus, BA, Brazil.
| | - Carole Fureix
- Animal Welfare and Behaviour Group, Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, UK.
| | - Selene S C Nogueira
- Laboratório de Etologia Aplicada, Universidade Estadual Santa Cruz, Rodovia Jorge Amado km 16, 45662-900 Ilhéus, BA, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Franzone V, Ramos GDAP, de Lima Kascher LK, de Azevedo CS, Sant’Anna AC. Flight capacity and human aversion in captive Amazon parrots: Related factors and the effects of pre-releasing training. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
7
|
Bonnemaison A, Altino VS, Nogueira-Filho SLG, Nogueira SSC. Personality and plasticity of defensive behavior in collared peccary (Dicotyles tajacu). Behav Processes 2021; 193:104537. [PMID: 34740780 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2021.104537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Inter-individual differences in behavior, together with phenotypic plasticity, may play a key role in the reintroduction success of captive-born individuals. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether and how personality traits affect the plasticity of defensive behavior in collared peccary (Dicotyles tajacu). Twenty-six adult captive-born collared peccaries (12 males and 14 females) were submitted to three short-term challenges for personality assessment. Thereafter, each individual was submitted to four sequential tests, with different degrees of risk, allowing us to assess temporal/context consistencies in personality traits as well as the plasticity of defensive behavior. We noted a pronounced variability among the individuals' boldness trait, while males and females did not differ in their behavioral responses in all tests. Additionally, collared peccaries show behavioral plasticity of defensive behavior across risk conditions. We also verified an association between boldness and defensive behavior in this species: the higher the boldness score, the less time collared peccaries spent on wariness behaviors in the higher risk condition. The link between personality traits and behavioral plasticity of collared peccaries across risk conditions warrants further investigation to understand the impact of this association on the post-release success of this and other species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Vanessa S Altino
- Laboratório de Etologia Aplicada, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | - Selene S C Nogueira
- Laboratório de Etologia Aplicada, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ramos GDAP, de Azevedo CS, Lovestain DDC, Jardim THA, Sant’Anna AC. Is individual temperament related to behaviors in a social context for a Neotropical parakeet species? Appl Anim Behav Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
9
|
Jolly CJ, Webb JK, Gillespie GR, Phillips BL. Training fails to elicit behavioral change in a marsupial suffering evolutionary loss of antipredator behaviors. J Mammal 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyaa060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Attempts to reintroduce threatened species from ex situ populations (zoos or predator-free sanctuaries) regularly fail because of predation. When removed from their natural predators, animals may lose their ability to recognize predators and thus fail to adopt appropriate antipredator behaviors. Recently, northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus; Dasyuromorpha: Dasyuridae) conserved on a predator-free “island ark” for 13 generations were found to have no recognition of dingoes, a natural predator with which they had coevolved on mainland Australia for about 8,000 years. A subsequent reintroduction attempt using quolls acquired from this island ark failed due to predation by dingoes. In this study, we tested whether instrumental conditioning could be used to improve predator recognition in captive quolls sourced from a predator-free “island ark.” We used a previously successful scent-recognition assay (a giving-up density experiment) to compare predator-scent recognition of captive-born island animals before and after antipredator training. Our training was delivered by pairing live predators (dingo and domestic dog) with an electrified cage floor in repeat trials such that, when the predators were present, foraging animals would receive a shock. Our training methodology did not result in any discernible change in the ability of quolls to recognize and avoid dingo scent after training. We conclude either that our particular training method was ineffective (though ethically permissible); or that because these quolls appear unable to recognize natural predators, predator recognition may be extremely difficult to impart in a captive setting given ethical constraints. Our results point to the difficulty of reinstating lost behaviors, and to the value of maintaining antipredator behaviors in conservation populations before they are lost.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chris J Jolly
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Jonathan K Webb
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW, Australia
| | - Graeme R Gillespie
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Flora and Fauna Division, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Northern Territory Government, Berrimah, NT, Australia
| | - Ben L Phillips
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ramos GDAP, Azevedo CSD, Jardim THA, Sant'Anna AC. Temperament in Captivity, Environmental Enrichment, Flight Ability, and Response to Humans in an Endangered Parrot Species. J APPL ANIM WELF SCI 2020; 24:379-391. [PMID: 32427519 DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2020.1765367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Temperament assessment is useful in reintroduction programs. Reactivity to humans and flight ability are also important behavioral aspects for captive parrots candidates to reintroduction. The study aimed: a) to evaluate if behavioral responses to environmental enrichment differ as a function of temperament in captive Vinaceous-breasted Amazon parrots (Amazona vinacea) and b) to evaluate if the behavioral responses to environmental enrichment are related to flight ability and animal's reaction to human when offered food. A temperament assessment was performed and behavioral evaluations of parrots (n = 13) using an ethogram were carried out, in two phases: unenriched and enriched. Flight skill and food reward tests were also performed. Two temperament dimensions were described ("vigilance" and "risk-taking"). Parrots categorized as "vigilant" spent less time feeding on the feeder and interacting with environment. Animals with compromised flight ability spent more time preening, had lower frequency of vocalizations, tended to have fewer negative social interactions, and interacted less with the enrichment than individuals with better flight ability. Flight performance and temperament of captive parrots should be considered while planning and executing environmental enrichment techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela de A P Ramos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Comportamento e Biologia Animal, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
| | - Cristiano S de Azevedo
- Departamento de Biodiversidade, Evolução e Meio Ambiente, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, s/n Bauxita, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
| | - Talys H A Jardim
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Comportamento e Biologia Animal, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
| | - Aline C Sant'Anna
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Barbosa HM, Nogueira-Filho SLG, de Morais RN, da Cunha Nogueira SS. Non-invasive stress monitoring and temperament of chestnut-bellied seed-finch (Passeriformes, Thraupidae). Appl Anim Behav Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2019.104859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
|
12
|
Ross AK, Letnic M, Blumstein DT, Moseby KE. Reversing the effects of evolutionary prey naiveté through controlled predator exposure. J Appl Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra K. Ross
- Centre for Ecosystem Science School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences University of New South Wales Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Mike Letnic
- Centre for Ecosystem Science School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences University of New South Wales Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Daniel T. Blumstein
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California Los Angeles California
| | - Katherine E. Moseby
- Centre for Ecosystem Science School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences University of New South Wales Sydney NSW Australia
- Arid Recovery Ltd. Roxby Downs SA Australia
| |
Collapse
|