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.
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P6: ‘The animals behaviour and natural instinct changes in a marine park compared to in its natural habitat’ (para 3).
http://www.med.nyu.edu/content?chunklID=90869>. Gerrard, David E., and Alan L. Grant. Principles of Animal Growth and Development. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Pub., 2006. Print.
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)
Elizabeth Cashdan addresses the question of territoriality among human forager groups, specifically comparing four Bushman groups. She argues that territoriality should occur only in places where the benefits will outweigh the costs. Introducing the scientific definition of territoriality in animals, she first claims that animals tend to be the most territorial when they have adequate food and other resources. It is when there is a severe lack of or abundance of resources that animals are not territorial. With a lack of food, territoriality tends to waste too much energy. In the case of an abundance of food, it is not worth defending that which is plentiful for animals. She points out predictability as another environmental factor: if a resource is unpredictable, then it is not economical to defend it. It is only worthwhile to defend a territory if there is high probability that the resources will still be available when they are wanted. However, the costs and benefits of being territorial not only depend on the environment, but also on the species and its characteristics.
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It was found that foraging and location seperatly didn’t affect duration of feeding (Two-way ANOVA, F = 2.0028, DF = 1, 122, p-value>0.01394)( Two-way ANOVA, F = 1.8306, DF = 1, 122, p-value>0.1786). The interaction between location and foraging behaviour does have an effect on duration of feeding, these findings support the hypothesis (Two-way ANOVA, F = 32.23, DF = 2, 122, p-value<0.0261). As seen in Figure 1 & 2 for Al the significant results come from an increased mean of water foraging. For RR the significances comes from difference from water as seen in both Figures. Looking at Figure 2 you see that there is a substainal difference between land and human, showing that human directed feeding behaviour is the dominant feeding
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.
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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.
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.
Mason GJ. Species differences in response to captivity: stress, welfare and the comparative method. Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 2010; 713-720.
Preen, A., & Marsh, H. (1995). Response of dugongs to large-scale loss of seagrass from Hervey Bay, Queensland Australia. Wildlife Research, 22(4), 507-519.