J Ethol DOI 10.1007/S10164-006-0030-Z .ARTICLE A description of commonly observed behaviors for the kori bustard (Ardeotis kori) Elinor M. Lichtenberg • Sara Hallager Received: 7 July 2006 / Accepted: 17 October 2006 © Japan Ethological Society and Springer 2006 Abstract The kori bustard {Ardeotis kori), a large made up of 25 species in 11 genera. Four species are ground-dwelling bird found in southern and eastern listed by the lUCN (International Union for Conser- Africa, is declining throughout its entire range. We vation of Nature and Natural Resources) red list of present an ethogram of the kori bustard in which we threatened animals as endangered, one species is listed describe 63 individual behaviors. These behaviors are as vulnerable and six more are listed as near threa- grouped into ten categories: resting, comfort/mainte- tened (del Hoyo et al. 1996). Several species of bustard nance, locomotion, ingestive/excretory, antagonistic, are poorly known so their true conservation status inter-specific response, sexual, maternal, vocalizations cannot be determined. Agricultural changes, over- and miscellaneous. The precise descriptions of kori grazing, hunting, trapping, habitat loss, droughts and bustard behaviors presented here provide a standard wars are the main threats to bustards (del Hoyo et al. that can be used for systematic and quantitative study 1996). of kori bustard behavior, both in the wild and in cap- The largest bustard, the kori (Ardeotis kori), is tivity. A greater understanding of kori bustard behav- indigenous to the grasslands and lightly wooded sav- ior can help improve breeding success of captive birds annas of southern and eastern Africa. The nominate and aid future conservation efforts. subspecies Ardeotis kori kori occurs in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, southern Angola, South Africa Keywords Ethogram • Ardeotis kori • Bustard • and Mozambique (Johnsgard 1991), while Ardeotis Individual behavior • Africa kori struthiunculus occurs in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. The species is listed in Appendix II of CITES, and the South African Red Data Book lists the Introduction status of A. k. kori as vulnerable (Brooke 1984). According to Collar (1996), the kori bustard is showing Bustards are medium- to large-sized terrestrial birds, signs of chronic decline and local extinction over its chieñy inhabiting open plains in either arid or season- entire range. Causes for this decline include increasing ally dry regions of the old world. The bustard family is agriculture and development, hunting pressure and a low tolerance for human activity (Dale 1990). Low reproductive rates, observed for kori bustards and E. M. Lichtenberg • S. Hallager (El) found to be only 0.14 chicks per female for great bus- Smithsonian National Zoological Park, tards {Otis tarda. Morales et al. 2002), make recovery 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA from such decline difficult (Dale 1990). Reduced e-mail: [email protected] breeding activity in dry years compounds the problem (T. Osborne, personal communication). Present Address: Recently, there has been an increase in the propa- E. M. Lichtenberg University of California, 9500 Oilman Drive MC 0116, gation of bustard species in captivity. A breeding La JoUa, San Diego, CA 92093-0116, USA program for the kori bustard {A. kori) in the United Q Springer J Ethol States is managed under the auspices of the Associa- hand-reared captive born female. All birds were indi- tion of Zoos and Aquariums as a species survival plan vidually marked with colored leg bands. (SSP) species. The United States captive breeding program for kori bustards aims to maintain populations that are genetically and demographically self-sustain- Results ing without relying on continued imports from the wild (Hallager and Ballou 2001). We report 63 behaviors grouped into ten categories: We present a description of observed kori bustard resting, comfort/maintenance, locomotion, ingestive/ behaviors with the aim of improving the understand- excretory, antagonistic, inter-specific response, sexual, ing of the species both in captivity and in the wild. maternal, vocalizations and miscellaneous. This ethogram was developed using observations of captive birds, supplemented by published descriptions Resting behavior of wild birds. Much of what is known about wild kori bustard behavior is descriptive, unsystematic and Resting behavior is divided into four categories: based on sightings of only one or two individuals, although a long-term study of Namibian kori bustards Alert had been able to provide more detailed information (e.g., Osborne and Osborne 1998, 2002). The precise A bird is considered alert when it is stationary, either descriptions and definitions provided by an ethogram sitting on the ground or standing, and has its eyes open. aid the quantitative study of behavior (Lehner 1996) Its neck may be tucked against the back, partially ex- and help prevent "drift" in classification of behaviors tended or fully extended. On rare occasions, one foot is during the course of a study (Martin and Bateson raised slightly off the ground (Fig. 1). 2001). This ethogram will provide a valuable basis for further study of both wild and captive kori bustard Resting behavior. A greater understanding of this species' interactions with conspecifics, other species, humans The bird is stationary, either sitting on the ground or and the environment is a necessary first step towards standing, and its eyes are closed. It may be asleep, but development and implementation of effective con- generally is awake. Birds probably close their eyes servation practices. Methods The behaviors reported in this paper were compiled from several sources. Observations of captive kori bustards (A. k. struthiunculus) at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park (SNZP), Washington, DC, by Hallager were initiated in 1990 and continued through 2004. Birds were observed informally during daily husbandry sessions inside the enclosure and from outside the enclosure in an area accessible to visitors. Friends of the National Zoo volunteer kori bustard behavior watchers (behavior watchers) logged nearly 1,600 h between 2000 and 2004 recording behaviors exhibited by the birds, space utilization information and crowd levels. Behavior watchers also made note of any new behaviors they observed. Information from the literature was used to supple- ment descriptions. The flock composition varied over the years, but was generally comprised of one or two wild caught adult males, three to four wild caught adult females and one Fig. 1 Alert Q Springer J Ethol Fig. 2 Resting only when they feel safe about their surroundings Fig. 4 Wet weather standing (Fig. 2). Hock sitting Scratching The bird sits with its tarsi on the ground and tibias Generally, the neck and head areas are scratched using vertical, leaving the belly raised off the ground (Fig. 3). a toe (Fig. 5). Wet weather standing Stretching During periods of light to heavy rain, the bird tucks its A kori may stretch its leg, wing or body. The wing and head tightly against the back of its neck, giving it a leg on the same side of the body are often stretched hunched appearance. The dorsal side of a kori's neck is together. Bow stretching (Fig. 6; Maozeka 1993) is a only lightly feathered, so this posture may help con- full-body stretch in which the neck is extended for- serve body heat. During inclement weather, birds often ward, the body is lowered slightly, and the wings are stand under a bush for partial protection from the raised. Stretching often occurs after birds have been elements (Fig. 4). resting for an extended period. Comfort/maintenance behaviors Personal maintenance and comfort behaviors are: Fig. 3 Hock sitting Fig. 5 Scratching Q Springer J Ethol Fig. 6 Bow stretching Jump stretching Fig. 7 Ruffling The bird jumps slightly into the air while extending and their eyes closed when grooming the legs and under- flapping its wings. belly. Preening is often punctuated by moments during which the bird is alert. Body fluffing Toe picking The feathers on the neck, wings and back are erected and then smoothed down. Body fluffing lasts only for a While standing on one foot, the bird uses its bill to pull second or two, and may be followed by a gentle ruffling at a toe or nail, presumably to clean it (Fig. 10). of the feathers. Dust bathing Ruffling The bird lies flat and rubs its belly, head, neck and The bird shakes its body, with movement passing as a wings on the ground, often in a sandy or dusty wave from head to tail. The tail feathers are slightly fanned (Fig. 7). This behavior usually occurs after a preening session. Wing flapping The bird extends its wings and flaps them several times. Wing flapping often occurs in conjunction with stretching (Fig. 8). Preening Kori bustards use their bill to straighten the feathers on their breast, neck, tail, legs or wings (Fig. 9). Dirt and parasites are also removed by the bill. They perform this behavior while sitting or standing. Small feathers preened out are occasionally ingested. Preening birds sometimes close their eyes, and almost always have Fig. 8 Wing napping Q Springer J Ethol depression. Birds often ruffle their feathers in the material in which they are bathing (Fig. 11). Dust bathing helps keep plumage clean. Sun bathing The bird is sitting (usually near a bush or short grass clump) in the sun with one or both of its wings spread horizontal to the ground (Fig. 12). Birds often sun to the point where they are panting heavily, and sun bathing is always followed by extensive preening (see Preening). Bill gaping The mouth is briefly opened wide as if the bird is yawning. Observation of this behavior suggested no specific function. Bill open Fig. 9 Preening The bill is held partially open for several seconds (Fig. 13). Observation of this behavior suggested no specific function. Panting The bill is slightly open, and the guiar skin is moving back and forth (Fig.