Skip to main content
. 2012 Jan 27;7(1):e29826. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029826

Table 1. Experimental behavioral ethogram.

Appetitive Behaviors
Feeding Bird is located next to feeder and has its beak inside the feeder.
Drinking Bird's head is raised toward nipple drinkers and is either attempting to or is currently contacting its beak with the drinker.
Foraging Bird is pecking or scratching at the ground.
Activity Behaviors
Sitting Bird has ceased locomotion and its breast is in contact with the ground. Eyes may or may not be closed.
Standing Bird maintains upright position on motionless, extended legs.
Walking Relatively low-speed displacement of bird on the ground in which the propulsive force is derived from the action of the legs.
Running Higher speed displacement of bird on the ground in which the propulsive force is derived from the action of the legs.
Perching Bird's feet are grasping the barrier and bird is not locomoting. Breast of bird may or may not be in contact with barrier.
Dust bathing Bird is lying on the ground and tossing dirt onto its back/wings by ruffling and shaking its feathers.
Flapping Bird is in an upright position and extends its wings repeatedly.
Preening Bird is using its beak to peck, stroke or comb plumage.
Aggression 1
Chase One bird runs at least three steps after another bird.
Fight Two birds are standing facing each other with heads and necks raised to the same level. One bird delivers more than two vigorous kicks at opponent. Pecks may or may not be observed.
Leap Two birds face each other; one or both jump without extending legs toward other bird.
Peck Face-to-face encounter in which one bird raises its head and directs vigorous pecks toward another bird.
Standoff Two birds facing each other with heads at same level for more than two seconds.
Threat Bird stands with raised feathers and erect neck while opponent holds its head at lowered level.
Disturbance Another bird makes physical contact with resting focal bird, causing it to readjust itself or stand.
Other Any behavior not belonging to the previous categories was recorded under this label.
1

Observations in the categories “chase,” “fight,” “leap,” “peck,” “standoff,” and “threat” were recorded and analyzed under the “aggression” label.