Abstract
The objective of the present study was to study the differences in feeding behavior from peck frequency and type of diets, between male and female little egret (Egretta garzetta) in two different habitats, mangrove and rice fields of Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia. Focal animal sampling was used to study the feeding behavior of randomly selected birds from 07.00 AM to 06.00 PM in July 2015. Statistical analysis was conducted using t-test to test for differences between male and female peck frequency and habitats. For the combined data of both males and females, the average peck frequency of little egret (E. garzetta) observed in the mangrove and rice fields was 238.8 and 226.2 respectively. Male E. garzetta peck frequency observed was 240 pecks in mangrove habitat while female peck frequency was 225 pecks in rice field habitat. The results of our study showed that there is a significant difference in the peck frequency of little egrets observed in the two habitats (mangrove and rice fields) and between male and female E. garzetta.
Highlights
The little egret (Egretta garzetta) is a moderate-sized water bird commonly found in mangrove and rice fields of tropical countries such as Indonesia (Elfidasari, 2008)
Variables used in the univariate analysis included peck frequency of male and female little egrets, habitat type, and the type of diets in these two habitats
Results indicated that the highest peck frequency in mangrove and rice fields is 238.8 and 226.2 respectively which occurred from 07.00 - 08.00 AM for both habitats during the ten day observation period
Summary
The little egret (Egretta garzetta) is a moderate-sized water bird commonly found in mangrove and rice fields of tropical countries such as Indonesia (Elfidasari, 2008). This species is listed at vulnerable category in the International Union for the IUCN Red List (BLI 2015) This bird needs protection to ensure that they continue to thrive in their environment. The little egret is highly dependent on visual cues when hunting and feeding mainly during the day whilst walking through shallow, open water, stabbing prey with its bill (Kazantzidis and Goutner, 1996). It feeds primarily on small fish, which are usually around 1.2 to 6 cm in length, but bivalves, crustaceans and other invertebrates are consumed (Elfidasari, 2008). We compare two feeding sites, rice fields and mangroves and test for differences based on peck frequency between males and females in two different habitats that harbor various types of food
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