Resting Behaviour of Parrots Loriculus galgulus

Abstract

This study analysed the preferences of perch size and position in the aviary in a group of 6 lorikeets (Loriculus galgulus). We monitored the presence of the lorikeets in four different locations in the aviary – on the original perches, floor, wire mesh and experimental perches. The perch preferences were tested using 3 identical experimental perches, each of which consisted of 5 segments differing in diameter – ø 1 cm (circumference = 3.14 cm), ø 2 cm (circumference = 6.28 cm), ø 3 cm (circumference = 9.42 cm), ø 4 cm (circumference = 12.56 cm) and ø 5 cm (circumference = 15.7 cm). The distance between the 3rd and 4th toe was measured in all birds (it averaged in 2.4 cm) in order to assess to what extent the birds can enclose the perch with their toes. The observation continued for 35 consecutive days in a private aviary in the group of 4 males and 2 females of the same species. The images were captured in 10-minute intervals by a video-recording device. The number of images mapping the presence of the six birds totalled in 17898. Out of this number, the lories were 10453 times indoors (out of sight) and 7445 times in the outdoor fly, which was monitored. They spent most of the time resting on the original perches (3067x) and totally ignored the floor (1x). They preferred perches (5102x) to wire mesh (2342x). All the differences were highly significant. The favourite perch diameter was 2 cm (537x) and the least popular was the perch 5 cm thick (148x); the difference was also highly significant. The analysis of the obtained data revealed that the lorikeets preferred sections A (788x) and E (600x) in the aviary, which means they spent most of the time along the walls. The differences among all the observed sections were highly significant.