EEP Crowned pigeon number 4

EEP STUDBOOK CROWNED PIGEONS
In the experimental part in three enclosures (Amsterdam Zoo in two aviaries, and in Alphen
a/d Rijn birdpark) the perches were changed at random. Sometimes the birds could use only
thick perches, sometimes only thin perches. After changing the perches, the birds were not
observed for four days to get them used to the new elements in their enclosure. Three times
thick perches were placed and three times thin perches. Each time observations were carried
out during two days.
In Rotterdam Zoo a complete different experiment was carried out. The birds in this small
(and in the meantime pulled down) enclosure could only use sand and they were not very
active. By some small trunks the surface was separated into four parts which were covered at
random with sand or mould. Every time observations were carried out during two days and
after this the substrate in some parts was changed again. Also in this experiment the birds was
given a relaxation time of at least four days.
During the experimental part of the research project the data were also registered using
instantaneous scan sampling. Because of the different circumstances in the four enclosures it
became necessary to develop four different configuration-files. As in the observational part,
data were registered using “The Observer”.
Data processing
The data, acquired with the organiser and worked up with “The Observer” are converted to
SAS edition 6.10.
To make it easier to calculate these data, a lot of scientists have made a classification into
different types of behaviour. The first person to do this was “Von Üxküll” in 1926 who
introduced the term “Funktionskreis”. He meant the interaction between the animal and its
environment. The animal react, depending on its character, on different stimuli from the
environment and this behaviour influences the environment on its turn (Von Üxküll in Koene,
1995). Others used this theory and for example Tembrock made a classification into eight
different types of behaviour: adaptation in time (to stand, to sleep), in space (locomotion),
metabolic behaviour (to eat), to search for protection (against climate, enemies), sexual
behaviour, care-behaviour, social behaviour and explanation behaviour (Tembrock, 1980).
Koene found that the different types of behaviour, determined by Tembrock, overlap in
environments made by men. For that reason Koene composed a classification into twelve
categories, based on Tembrock (Koene, 1995). This classification includes the following
types of behaviouir:
1. Behaviour in space (space) e.g. to walk, to fly
2. Behaviour in time (time) e.g. to stand, to sit
3. Sexual behaviour (hide) e.g. to mate, to incubate
4. Positive social behaviour (socpos) e.g. to preen another animal
5. Negative social behaviour (socneg) e.g. to fight
6. Hiding behaviour (hide) e.g. to hide
7. Exploration- and playing behaviour (info) e.g. to play
8. Care-behaviour (care) e.g. to preen
9. Metabolic behaviour (meta) e.g. to eat, to defecate
10. Stereotypic behaviour (stereo) e.g. “to wave”
11. Deviant behaviour (deviant) e.g. to kick at a door
12. Other behaviour (other) e.g. “not visible”
100