Frontiers in Conservation Science (Oct 2024)

Behavioural ethogram to inform ex-situ initiatives for a critically endangered bird – the case of the Plains-wanderer

  • Monique Van Sluys,
  • Yvette Pauligk,
  • Alicia Burns,
  • Alicia Burns,
  • Alicia Burns,
  • Mark O’Riordan,
  • Richard Matkovics,
  • Chris Hartnett,
  • Benjamin J. Pitcher,
  • Benjamin J. Pitcher

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fcosc.2024.1457664
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5

Abstract

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A thorough understanding of behaviour is essential to a species recovery effort, not only to inform management and husbandry decisions, but critically, to ensure optimum survival of released animals and their offspring. The endangered Plains-wanderer, endemic to Australia and the only extant member of its family, is a bird of great conservation significance. Despite their phylogenetic uniqueness and conservation status, very little is known about their basic behavioural ecology. As part of the National Recovery efforts, an ex-situ breeding program was established to create an insurance population with the aim of releasing zoo-bred birds into their natural range. Such programs provide unique opportunities to conduct detailed behavioural and ecological studies. However, such studies are dependent on a comprehensive understanding of basic behaviour and associated social interactions, as well as a common vocabulary across institutions when it comes to describing patterns of behaviour. Therefore, a detailed ethogram is a vital first step. Here we have collated initial behavioural observations and descriptions from three main breeding institutions to create a unified ethogram across sites, with the aim of facilitating future research endeavours. Ultimately a systematic understanding of behaviour will not only improve management and conservation initiatives, but also the understanding of adaptability to potential threats going forward.

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