Albanell Trullas, Elena

Baucells Sánchez, María Dolores

Marqués, Helena

Navidad, Gemma

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Diet selection by the White-naped Pheasant Pigeon Otidiphaps nobilis aruensis at theBarcelona Zoo.Helena Marqués1,Maria Dolores Baucells2, Elena Albanell2 and Gemma Navidad1'Parque Zoológico de Barcelona, Parque de la Ciudadela s/n, 08003 Barcelona, Spaindepartamento de Ciencia Animal y de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, UniversitatAutònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona Spain.Otidiphaps nobilis aruensis is an endemic columbiforme from Aru Isle (South-West ofNewGuinea). It is poorly represented in captivity and there is not enough information known aboutthe biology and wild status of this endangered specie. However, due to its insular situation, itswild status may be critical.The Barcelona Zoo holds 18 individuals (53 %) of the total European captive population, withtwo wild caught breeding pairs. The aim of this study was to determine the diet consumed bythe captive population of these birds at the Barcelona Zoo, and some of the factors that couldhave an influence on diet selection.The study was carried on at the Barcelona Zoo with 11 (8.3) captive born individuals(descendants from the two breeding pairs), between 5 and 20 months of age at the time ofstudy. The animals were housed individually and the intake was evaluated through threeexperimental periods (see Marques et al., 2000 for further details on housing andmethodology). The diet consisted on 10 ingredients grouped in 4 categories: grains (wheat,millet and canary seed), commercial feeds (Zeigler Fruguivore Supplement, UniversalInsectivorous Diet - Witte Molen, Egg rearing Food With Hedgerow Plants - KasperFaunafoods), animal protein (mealworms, hard boiled egg), and vegetables (lettuce and fruitmix: apple, pear, banana, carrot). All ingredients were offered close to add libitum, except forthe mealworms (Zophoba sp.), which were used to encourage birds to go on a weighing scale.The animals on this diet kept growing normally and looked healthy. The data obtained wereanalyzed by Proc Tabulate and Proc Mixed ofSAS.The animals consumed a total of 33,2 ± 0,82 g of diet (22 ± 1,30 g on a dry matter basis,DMB). This amount was 4 times lower than the offered. Great differences among individualswere observed on diet selection, but the mean diet composition was: 38 % grains, 25 %commercial foods, 19 % animal protein, and 18 % vegetables. None of the ingredients wasconsumed more that 40 % of the amount offered, except for the mealworms.There were significant differences on ingredient selection among ages (juveniles 20-35weeks old, n=7; elders 43 - 82 weeks old, n=4). The younger animals consumed significantlyless grains than the older animals (10,3 ± 1,27 g vs. 17,2 ± 2,27 g; P<0,001). The youngeranimals, had instead, a tendency to eat more commercial foods (P=0,07). Additionally, somedifferences were observed among individuals that came from different progenitors in theconsumption of some grains (i.e. wheat and canary seed). Whereas no differences in any ofthe other ingredient groups was detected. Curiously, males consumed significantly morelettuce than females (1,67 + 0,5 g vs. 0,56 ± 0,5 g; P<0,01).This project has been granted by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.71" ' •.•■o '• !.'cv '6I

Diet selection by the White-naped Pheasant Pigeon Otidiphaps nobilis aruensis at the Barcelona Zoo

https://ddd.uab.cat/pub/posters/2001/166869/mdbaucells_46.pdf

Diet selection by the White-naped Pheasant Pigeon Otidiphaps nobilis aruensis at the Barcelona Zoo

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