Do Birds of a Feather Always Flock Together? Assessing Differences in Group and Individual Zoo Enclosure Usage by Comparing Commonly Available Methods

McConnell, Heather; Brereton, James Edward; Rice, Tom; Rose, Paul

doi:10.3390/jzbg3010007

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 34 publications

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“…Both groups within the flock utilized the enclosure differently than expected during the study based on the size of each zone, and the nesting and feeding sites were used disproportionately considering their size. Further review of how enclosures are zoned and how enclosure usage is measured for social species is required, because the number of zones included (Rose et al, 2021) and the type of method used to calculate enclosure zone occupancy (McConnell et al, 2022), can affect the overall assessment of space use. Extending enclosure usage study in and out of the nesting season (and to consider impacts of climate and season) should also be considered.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wing condition does not negatively impact time budget, enclosure usage, or social bonds in a flock of both full‐winged and flight‐restrained greater flamingos

George

Rose

2023

Zoo Biology

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Zoo management techniques for captive birds, such as flight restraint and enclosure type, may affect behavioral performance and are consequently worthy of investigation. Flamingos are amongst the most popular of zoo‐housed birds and, as such, research into their captive management and associated behavioral responses are widely applicable to many thousands of individuals. As a highly social species, understanding social bonds and behavior of the individual bird and the flock overall can help inform decisions that support husbandry and population management. In this project, 41 greater flamingos at Bristol Zoo Gardens were observed for 49 days across spring and summer 2013 to assess the following: (i) social associations within the flock, (ii) overall activity patterns, and (iii) distribution of time within specific enclosure zones for both full‐winged and flight‐restrained birds living in the same enclosure. Results showed that pinioning interacted with age in regard to flamingo time–activity patterns, but wing condition did not significantly influence association patterns, performance of social interactions, or performance of breeding behavior. Social network analysis revealed that associations were nonrandom and flamingos, of either wing condition, displayed different roles within the network. Birds of similar age formed the strongest bonds. Enclosure usage was not even, suggesting that the flamingos favored specific areas of the enclosure during the observation period. This study showed that wing condition does not affect flamingo behavior, social bonds, or space use, and that age and sex have more of an overall influence on what flamingos do, and with whom they chose to do it. Further research should extend this study into other, larger captive flocks to further refine behavioral measures of welfare for these popular zoo birds.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wing condition does not negatively impact time budget, enclosure usage, or social bonds in a flock of both full‐winged and flight‐restrained greater flamingos

George

Rose

2023

Zoo Biology

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What’s Black and White and Pink All Over? Lesser Flamingo Nocturnal Behaviour Captured by Remote Cameras

Rose

Chapman

Brereton

et al. 2022

JZBG

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The study of animal behaviour is important for the development of husbandry and management practices for zoo-housed species. Yet, data are typically only collected during daylight hours, aligning with human work schedules rather than animal activity patterns. To remedy this, 24 h data collection is needed. This study investigated the behaviour of a captive flock of lesser flamingos to understand temporal changes in their time-activity patterns. Two remote camera traps were placed around the birds’ outdoor enclosure and one within the indoor house. Counts of birds visible within specific enclosure zones were recorded from photographic data. Behaviour was defined as active or inactive, and modified Spread of Participation Index (SPI) was used to calculate enclosure zone occupancy. Results indicated that lesser flamingos are active overnight, and to a similar amount as in the daytime. Proportions of birds observed as active were significantly higher at later times of the day (i.e., dusk) when compared to the number of active birds in the morning. Enclosure usage was diverse and indoor and outdoor zones could be used by different numbers of birds at different times of the day. Variation in enclosure usage may indicate the changing needs of the flamingos when housed indoors overnight and when they have night-time access to an outdoor enclosure. This research has identified the need for further research into the nocturnal behaviour and space use of lesser flamingos and suggests the need for 24 h research in captive birds, and other zoo-held species, especially when species are locked indoors or face behavioural restriction overnight due to biosecurity measures surrounding zoonoses outbreaks, e.g., Avian Influenza.

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Evaluating Potential Indicators of Welfare for Zoo Birds during an Avian Influenza Enforced Housing Order

Collard,

Rose

2024

JZBG

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Unusual or extraordinary circumstances can cause change to normal husbandry regimes and daily care of managed animals. Increased biosecurity due to disease risk, for example, results in animals experiencing restrictions. Outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) have caused zoos to remove birds from their regular exhibits and manage them indoors or in covered enclosures to reduce the likelihood of an HPAI outbreak on site. To date, there has been little research on the impacts of such husbandry change on bird behaviour and welfare. This paper examines the effect of an HPAI-induced enforced housing order (HO) on the behaviour and physical condition of a flock of Chilean flamingos in a UK zoo. Using ZooMonitor to record flock-wide behaviour patterns and scoring plumage condition, we collected data on flamingos during a housing order, immediately after lifting of the HO, and after a period of acclimation to their regular routine. Results showed that flamingos were very inactive under a HO and after release, that abnormal, redirected foraging actions occurred during the HO and after release, and that flamingos were more alert under the HO. An increase in records of good plumage condition correlated with social behaviour, inactivity, higher temperatures, and rain. This research highlights the multifactorial influences on zoo animal behaviour and shows why information on the animals, their inputs, the behavioural outputs they present, and their physical attributes should all be gathered and evaluated together to best understand the influences of husbandry and management changes on behaviour and welfare.

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Do Birds of a Feather Always Flock Together? Assessing Differences in Group and Individual Zoo Enclosure Usage by Comparing Commonly Available Methods

Cited by 3 publications

References 34 publications

Wing condition does not negatively impact time budget, enclosure usage, or social bonds in a flock of both full‐winged and flight‐restrained greater flamingos

Wing condition does not negatively impact time budget, enclosure usage, or social bonds in a flock of both full‐winged and flight‐restrained greater flamingos

What’s Black and White and Pink All Over? Lesser Flamingo Nocturnal Behaviour Captured by Remote Cameras

Evaluating Potential Indicators of Welfare for Zoo Birds during an Avian Influenza Enforced Housing Order

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