Enabling wild-type behavioural ecology in captive parrot species

Lemos de Figueiredo, Ricardo Jorge ORCID: 0000-0002-0733-5386 (2024). Enabling wild-type behavioural ecology in captive parrot species. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Earth is facing an accelerating biodiversity loss and potential sixth mass extinction. The integration of ex situ conservations efforts (i.e. where conservation occurs outside natural habitat), such as captive breeding and reintroduction, with in situ actions (e.g. habitat protection and restoration), can help to slow biodiversity loss. However, the potential of ex situ conservation is limited by the challenges of reintroducing captive-bred animals into their natural habitat, as they often lack the necessary behaviours and skills to survive in the wild. Parrots (order Psittaciformes) are a highly threatened avian taxon that are, however, commonly kept in captive settings, including zoo breeding programmes. They are cognitively advanced and prone to poor welfare in captivity, often exhibiting loss and alteration of wild-type behaviours, which may jeopardise present and future participation in reintroduction programmes. In this thesis, a multi-step methodology was applied to: (1) assess the activity budgets and space use, as well as cognition, locomotion, and social behaviours of three captive parrot species (grey parrot Psittacus erithacus; scarlet macaw Ara macao; swift parrot Lathamus discolor) in two zoos; (2) compare those data with in situ data; (3) propose and apply enclosure modifications, including an increase and re-organisation of structural complexity and new hanging feeders that partially conceal the food, to enable the wild-type behaviours found missing or under-represented; and (4) assess the post-modification behaviour to evaluate the effects of the modifications. Behavioural data were collected on free-living scarlet macaws in Costa Rica, as well as eight scarlet macaws, two groups of grey parrots, and two juvenile swift parrots in two zoos. Significant changes in the behaviour of the captive parrots were detected between the baseline and post-modification periods of observations, but these varied within and across species. The modifications in the enclosures and changes in the social environment that occurred between periods (i.e. addition and/or death of parrots in the enclosure), likely affected these results. Increases in activity and natural behaviours such as locomotion and foraging were detected in some parrots, as well as improvements in space use and higher use of more challenging and diverse supports. The methodology and outcomes of this thesis have the potential to assist in improving the ex situ management of parrots, with applications to animal welfare and ex situ conservation.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):