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, Mark O’Riordan, Richard Matkovics, Chris Hartnett, Benjamin J. Pitcher

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1457664
Pages (from-to)1-6
Number of pages6
JournalFrontiers in Conservation Science
Volume5
Early online date16 Oct 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Bibliographical note

Copyright the Author(s) 2024. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

Keywords

  • adaptation
  • conservation outcomes
  • ethogram
  • ex-situ
  • Plain-wanderer
  • recovery program

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