Comparative study of predator avoidance behaviour of pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) of different genetic origin

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine differences in the behaviour of chicks of three different pheasant subspecies. The timidity of the pheasant chicks was of special interest, therefore behaviour traits were analysed using an open-field test and a tonic immobility test. In total, 137 pheasant chicks were tested including the copper pheasant (Ph. c. colchicus; n=87), the green pheasant (Ph. c. versicolor; n=12) and the melanistic pheasant (Ph. c. tenebrosus; n=38). In both tests, the chicks of the versicolor group showed the highest timidity, whereas the other two groups were similar in timidity. In the open-field test, the chicks of the colchicus group showed the lowest timidity, and in the tonic immobility test, the tenebrosus group showed the lowest values. Assuming a relationship between the test results and predator avoidance behaviour, it can be concluded that the chicks of the versicolor group show the best predator avoidance behaviour. Further investigations are needed to find out whether the differences in the analysed behaviour traits result in higher survival rates after releasing to the wild.

Peritraumatic tonic immobility is associated with PTSD symptom severity in Brazilian police officers: a prospective study

“…32 The adaptive value of tonic immobility is supported by the fact that the absence of movement increases the odds that a captured animal will escape, because a predator may loosen its grip if it assumes that the prey is indeed dead. 33 A report from informal interviews with trauma survivors also provides hints toward the adaptive value of tonic immobility in humans. 34 Under other scenarios, however, the occurrence of tonic immobility may be detrimental to the victims of a traumatic event.…”

Characteristics of the tonic immobility reaction in young farm-reared ring-neck pheasants, common quails and grey partridges

“…The number of TI inductions in pheasants and partridges, at each age under analysis, was usually 1 or 2. Rütting et al (2007) obtained slightly different results. When assessing the influence of genetic origin (subspecies) in common pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) aged 5 weeks, they observed a higher frequency (about 70%) of inductions equal to 5.…”

“…In our study the same birds were used at all three ages, therefore the effect of learning experience cannot be excluded. However, it is necessary to underline the fact that the species, subspecies or even breed of birds may influence the development of TI reaction (Jones 1986;Rütting et al 2007).…”

“…Studies point to the positive relationship between the duration of TI and fear and stress in birds (Campo and Garcia 1998;El-Lethey et al 2000;Nowaczewski et al 2006). In the case of wild birds or those introduced into their natural habitat, longer duration of TI and general inactivity discourages the potential predator, thus increasing its victim's chance for survival (Thompson and Liebreich 1987;Korte 2001;Rütting et al 2007;Marx et al 2008). Few results of studies on TI in pheasants have been published (Profumo et al 2001;Nowaczewski et al 2006;Rütting et al 2007).…”

“…In the case of wild birds or those introduced into their natural habitat, longer duration of TI and general inactivity discourages the potential predator, thus increasing its victim's chance for survival (Thompson and Liebreich 1987;Korte 2001;Rütting et al 2007;Marx et al 2008). Few results of studies on TI in pheasants have been published (Profumo et al 2001;Nowaczewski et al 2006;Rütting et al 2007). On the other hand, no similar studies on common quails or partridges have been found, especially on the influence of the age of birds on TI reactions.…”