Locality fixation, mobility and social organization within an unconfined population of red jungle fowl

Abstract

Summaryo1.A study was made, using banded individuals, of the social organization and mobility in an unconfined population of Red Jungle Fowl (Gallus gallus) on the 100 acre grounds of the San Diego Zoo, California. The peak of breeding comes in April and May with very little breeding in December and January.2.The different flocks of jungle fowl showed extreme locality fixation with small home ranges and territories centring about the flock roosting sites. The birds were generally within canyons and below the mesas. There is a peck order within these unconfined flocks, with dominant cocks associating with one to several hens, while subordinate cocks are frequently kept away from the hens.3.Three birds transplanted over 1000–1400 ft showed no sign of any homing ability.4.Young of the year generally stay at or near the home roost. Some of them move a short distance to peripheral and adjacent roosts and may help form new roosts along with adult males evicted from their home roosts by more dominant cocks.5.There was a rapid turnover in this apparently protected population, and only about one bird in six that was old enough to be independent of its parents survived each year. After 3 years most of the roosting flocks were composed almost entirely of different birds, but there was little change in roosting sites. A study was made, using banded individuals, of the social organization and mobility in an unconfined population of Red Jungle Fowl (Gallus gallus) on the 100 acre grounds of the San Diego Zoo, California. The peak of breeding comes in April and May with very little breeding in December and January. The different flocks of jungle fowl showed extreme locality fixation with small home ranges and territories centring about the flock roosting sites. The birds were generally within canyons and below the mesas. There is a peck order within these unconfined flocks, with dominant cocks associating with one to several hens, while subordinate cocks are frequently kept away from the hens. Three birds transplanted over 1000–1400 ft showed no sign of any homing ability. Young of the year generally stay at or near the home roost. Some of them move a short distance to peripheral and adjacent roosts and may help form new roosts along with adult males evicted from their home roosts by more dominant cocks. There was a rapid turnover in this apparently protected population, and only about one bird in six that was old enough to be independent of its parents survived each year. After 3 years most of the roosting flocks were composed almost entirely of different birds, but there was little change in roosting sites.