Time Budget and Rhythm of Wintering Behaviors of Great Bustard in the Middle Reaches of Yellow River Basin of China
Time Budget and Rhythm of Wintering Behaviors of Great Bustard in the Middle Reaches of Yellow River Basin of China
Wu Yi-qun* and Xu Xiu
ABSTRACT
During the period from January 26th to February 3rd, 2013, the time budget and rhythm of wintering behaviors of Great Bustard (Otis tarda) was studied with instantaneous-scanning method in the intersection area of the Yellow River, the Wei River and the Luo River located at the middle reaches of Yellow River basin of China. The results showed that standing accounts for 32.75 % of wintering behaviors for Great Bustard, followed by the feeding behavior (27.55 %) and walking behavior (16.69 %). Alert and lying behavior account for a small proportion – 8.45 % and 7.49 %, respectively; the rest behaviors take the least proportion. With respect to rhythm, feeding and walking behavior account for a large proportion from 11:30 to 12:00, reach a trough from 13:30 to 14:00 and increase from 14:00. Lying behavior reaches a maximum proportion from 13:30 to 14:00. Correlation analysis on the wintering behaviors shows that there is a significant positive correlation (P < 0.05) between feeding and walking, air movement and chasing behavior, and the positive correlation between lying and preening behavior is also significant. The results also showed that weather conditions has obvious influence on wintering behavior, especially on feeding, walking, lying and standing (P < 0.01).
To share on other social networks, click on any share button. What are these?
October 2017
Vol. 49, Iss. 5, Pages 1547-1936
