Diurnal activity patterns of Black-Necked Stilts (Himantopus mexicanus) during the non-breeding season in the eastern Caribbean
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Abstract: Diurnal activity patterns of resident Black-necked Stilts (Himantopus mexicanus) were observed on Guana Island, British Virgin Islands, during October 2010. Stilts were principally engaged in foraging and idle behaviors. The amount of time engaged in particular behaviors was relatively constant throughout the day, except during mid-afternoon when idleness increased and foraging decreased, with a subsequent increase in foraging in the evening. We speculate that the increase in foraging activity was a result of changing prey activity.
Keywords: activity pattern, behavior, Black-necked Stilt, Guana Island, Himantopus mexicanus, wetlands
Resumen: Patrones de actividad diurna de Himantopus mexicanus durante la temporada no reproductiva en las antillas menores- Los patrones de actividad diurna de individuos residentes de Himantopus mexicanus fueron observados en la isla de Guana, Islas Vírgenes Británicas, durante octubre de 2010. Los individuos estaban ocupados principalmente en conductas de forrajeo e inactivos. La cantidad de tiempo dedicado a conductas particulares fue relativamente constante a lo largo del día, excepto a media tarde cuando se incrementó el descanso y disminuyó el forrajeo con un subsecuente incremento de este último al atardecer. Especulamos que este incremento en la actividad de forrajeo fue el resultado de un cambio en la actividad de las presas.
Palabras clave: conducta, isla de Guana, Himantopus mexicanus, humedales, patrones de actividad
Résumé: Rythmes d’activité diurne de l’échasse d’amérique (Himantopus mexicanus) en dehors de la saison de reproduction dans l’est de la caraïbe- Les rythmes d’activité diurne des Échasses d’Amérique (Himantopus mexicanus) sédentaires ont été observés sur Guana Island, aux Îles Vierges britanniques, en octobre 2010. La recherche de nourriture et le repos constituaient les principaux comportements des échasses. La durée consacrée à des comportements particuliers était relativement constante au cours de la journée, sauf en milieu d’après-midi où les durées de repos augmentaient et celles de recherche de nourriture diminuaient, suivies par une nouvelle augmentation du temps consacré à la recherche de nourriture dans la soirée. L’augmentation de l’activité de recherche de nourriture pourrait être le résultat de l’évolution des activités des proies.
Mots clés: comportement, Échasse d’Amérique, Guana Island, Himantopus mexicanus, rythme d’activité, zones
humides
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