Discussion:
Behavioural ecology investigates the interaction between ecology and the behaviour of an animal. An animal’s behaviour is the result of natural selection over past generations favoured by selection (Deag 1996). It was observed that Dusky Moorhen, Ibis and Pacific Black Ducks share both aquatic and grassland habitat in City’s Botanic Garden for their activities. Federal Pigeons’ behaviour was not observed by any groups due to reduce numbers in the Garden. Thus, discussion on Federal Pigeons on foraging and vigilance behaviour will be based on references from Table 2 and Table 3.
In Table 1, the observed behaviours of Dusky Moorhen, Ibis and Pacific Black Duck are grouped into five categories, namely resting, foraging, vigilance, mating and interactions respectively. Based on Table 4, similar behaviours in descending order of the amount of activity per unit time spent by Dusky Moorhen on land is as follow, Feeding (33.1%), Preen (26.9%), Rest (19.6%), Hunt Food (17.6%), Swim (2.2%), vocalizing (0.7%) and fighting (0%). With reference from Table 5,similar behaviours in descending order of the amount of activity per unit time spent by Dusky Moorhen in water is as follow, Feeding (35.2%), Swim (32.6%), Preen (15.2%), Rest (9.1%), Hunt Food (7.6%), Vocalizing (0.2%) and Fighting (0.13%). The listed behaviours for this activity are essential for animal survival (fitness) and reproduction in the ecology (Deag 1996).
Foraging behaviour, an element for fitness is observed in all studied species both on land and in water. The locations where the various species foraged are determined by the availability of food supply, Dusky Moorhen feeds in both water for aquatic plants and land for seeds, grasses and shrubs. Pacific Bl...
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...ould be to increase the sample size, prolonged observation time for collection of information to obtain a more meaningful variation of behaviour. As species behaviour response might differ in seasons, time of the day and temperature, observation could also be carried out at different environmental conditions to obtain more accurate variation of behaviour of each species.
Works Cited
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Niche theory is a very important concept in Ecology. However, the exact meaning of the concept has changed throughout the years. Joseph Grinnell introduced the idea of niche theory in his paper “The Niche-Relationships of the California Thrasher”. His idea was that a species is restricted to its niche because of the habitat it lives in and its behavioral patterns. In Grinnell’s paper, the California Thrasher stays within the chaparral habitat of California. He continues to say that the California Thrasher is restricted by humidity and temperature, but that is probably due to the fact that this is the best environment for the chaparral bushes. The California Thrasher is described as a “shy bird” so it uses the cover
Deborah L. Duffy, Yuying Hsu, James A. Serpell ,Applied Animal Behavior Science - 1 December 2008 (Vol. 114, Issue 3, Pages 441-460, DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2008.04.006)
In the video “My Life As a turkey”, naturalist Joe Hutto begin an experiment on behaviors of animals, especially turkey. From the birth to the adulthood of the turkey, Hutto stayed with the turkeys side by side to nurture them.
Taylor, Robert E., and Thomas G. Fields. Scientific Farm Animal Production in Introduction to Animal Science. 8th Ed. New Jersey: Pearson Education, 200
The ducks are the biggest part of waterfowl hunting because without them there would be nothing to hunt. There are many different kinds of ducks like Mallards, Teal, Wood Ducks, Pintail, Ringneck and a ton more. Also considered waterfowl are the geese, the common snipe and merganser families.
8. Taylor, Dan. 1998. Audubon Society Inspired to Action by Bird Die -offs . 17 Jan. 1998 . E-mail . Available bkus@sunstroke.sdsu.edu
Bird Fancier’s Lung can be prevented by wearing a respiratory protective mask, proper work attire, not transporting birds in the rear seat of a vehicle, and limiting the total amount of time spent inside the pigeon loft. If all of these procedures are followed, the pigeon breeder should not be forced to give up the hobby. Pigeon breeders are extremely passionate and committed to the sport, and most are willing to take the risk of the health factors to continue to participate in pigeon racing. The history of this sport that originated in a working-class society is still going strong. Today there are about 83,000 registered pigeon fanciers in Great Britain (Bourke, 1997).
The following is a summary of adaptations of the C.porosus and the C.johnstoni. Each adaptation has been classified as structural, behavioural or functional. Each of these adaptations will be discussed further in depth as a similarity or difference between the two animals.
Colb, Sherry. "A Response to the Claim That Eating Animals Is Natural." Free From Harm. N.p., 25 July 2013. Web. 16 Sept. 2015.
Three different feeding styles were observed and recorded, foraging in the water, grazing on the land and feeding directly from humans. Foraging in water has two different behaviours, the first is the deep foraging when the C. atractus elongate it’s neck straight down into the water, the second is the shallow foraging, placing the bill into the water moving it
Syne, A., 2006. Meta-analytic review of the effects of enrichment on stereotypic behavior in zoo mammals. Zoo Biology , 25(4), pp. 317-337.
Mittelbach (1988) wanted to know whether the pressure of predation can cause pressures of competition. A body of literature describing a “landscape of fear” shows that prey species alter their behaviour in response to perceived predation risk, often avoiding those areas that may increase chance of predation and preferring ones that offer escape routes. Prey species seeking to escape predation risk will hide in shared refugia, which offer both protection and food resources. However, these refugia can become a resource that must be competed for. Mittelbach’s 1988 paper was the first to publish results describing the effects that competing prey species have on each other in refugia.
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The way an animal behaves is immensely influenced by its surrounding environment. The process by which an animal acquires its food in its habitat can be affected by several elements, both biotic and abiotic. When foraging, it is essential that animals consider food selection and availability, risks of predation, and competition with other animals for the same food source. Among the diversity of factors upon which foraging decisions are made is the risk of predation and habitat structure. According to Powell and Banks (2004) predator odors along with habitat structure are thought to influence the behaviour of small mammalian prey, which use them as cues to reduce risks of predation.