Temperament of captive Vinaceous-breasted Amazon Parrot (Amazona vinacea Kuhl, 1820) and individual differences in the responses to environmental enrichment

Abstract

Temperament is related to how animals respond to new environments, conspecifics and potential risks in their environment. Thus, knowledge about this trait can be used to improve the quality of life of captive wild animals, and to increase the success of reintroduction programs. Our subjects were 13 captive Vinaceous-breasted Amazon parrots (Amazona vinacea). The aims of our study were: a) to investigate the relationship of temperament with flight ability and animal’s reaction to human presence when offered food; b) to evaluate if behavioral responses to environmental enrichment vary in relation to temperament and flight ability. Three temperament tests (novel object test, reaction to an unknown person and reaction to potential predator) were performed and behavioral evaluations using an ethogram were carried out, in two phases: unenriched and enriched. Furthermore, flight skill and food reward tests were also performed to assess behaviors considered important for survivorship in wild. Four temperament dimensions were described (‘vigilance’, ‘risk-taking’, ‘activity’, ‘sociability’). There were significant effects of environmental enrichment on the behaviors of resting (P = 0.011), feeding (P = 0.014), allopreening (P = 0.024) and interaction with environment (P = 0.001). Regarding the effects of temperament on parrots’ behaviors, animals categorized as ‘vigilant’ spent less time feeding (P = 0.03) on the feeder and interacting with environment (P = 0.006) than those categorized as ‘indifferent’. We also found significant effects of flight skill on behaviors, animals with compromised flight ability spent significantly more time preening (P = 0.037), had lower frequency of vocalizations (P = 0.009) and tended to have fewer negative social interactions (P = 0.069) than those with high flight ability. Those individuals with better flight ability tended to interact more (P = 0.061) with the enrichment items than individuals with lesser flight ability. Thus, we suggest that flight performance and temperament of captive animals should be considered while planning and executing environmental enrichment techniques.