Environmental enrichment on the behavior and welfare of cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus)ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the influence of physical environmental enrichment on the behavior of cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus). Eighteen birds, nine males and nine females, were monitored in environments enriched with wooden sticks and bead rings and in non-enriched environments, in a completely randomized design. Behavioral categories were grouped into locomotion, maintenance, rest, feed, undesirable activities, and interaction with environmental enrichment. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis of behaviors to produce the ethogram and percentage comparison of frequency values for behavior analysis. Environmental enrichment positively influenced behavioral categories and some behavioral activities of birds.
Keywords:
ethogram; parrot; stress; wild animal
1L - Locomotion; M - Maintenance; A - Feeding; R - Rest; AI - Undesirable activities; IE- Interaction with enrichment tools.2 SE- No enrichment; AM- Bead rings; TO - Wood sticks.
1DP- Moving on the perch, AT- Walking on the cage screen, A- Walking on the cage floor.2SE - No enrichment, AM - Bead rings, TO - Wooden sticks.
1LP - Preening feathers, SP - Shaking the plumage, 2SE - No enrichment. AM - Bead rings, TO - Wooden sticks.
1R- Lying on belly; RP - Resting on the perch, PCH - Standing on the cage floor, PT- Standing on the cage screen. 2SE - No enrichment AM - Bead rings, TO - Wooden sticks.
1BA-Drinking water, C- Climbing food bowls or eating. 2SE - No enrichment, AM - Bead rings; TO - Wooden sticks.
1RPO - Biting the perch, RPA - Biting food bowls, RG - Biting the cage. 2SE - No enrichment, AM- Bead rings, TO - Wooden sticks.
*AM- Bead rings, TO - Wooden sticks.