Understanding sociality and behavior change associated with a nesting event in a captive flock of great white pelicans

• Published in: Zoo biology 2021-09, Vol.40 (5), p.386-397
• Main Authors: Brereton, James E., Fryer, James, Rose, Paul E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activity patterns; animal behavior; Animal husbandry; animal welfare; Birds; Breeding; Courtship; evidence‐based husbandry; Nesting; Nesting behavior; Network analysis; Pelecanus onocrotalus; Place preferences; Social conditions; Social environment; Social interactions; social network analysis; Social networks; Social organization; Vigilance; Zoo animals
• ISSN: 0733-3188; 1098-2361
• DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21616

Zoo‐housed pelicans are commonplace, but their breeding record is poor and little research is published on the activity patterns, as potential predictors of nesting, of captive flocks. Existing literature shows that comparative research can provide useful information for husbandry and conservation planning for pelican populations. The opportunity arose to investigate the time‐activity budget and social network of a breeding flock of captive great white pelicans. Three chicks were hatched in June and July 2016 and one in March 2017. Data on state behaviors, space use, and association preferences were collected around these nesting events, from October 2016 to February 2017 and July to October 2017. Results suggest that pre‐nesting periods were associated with heightened flock‐wide vigilance, suggesting that vigilance may be a precursor for courtship or nesting activity. Social network analysis revealed nonrandom associations between birds and a social structure across the flock, in which subadults seemed to associate more with each other than with adult birds. A limited visitor effect was noted; whilst no overall behavior change was apparent with different numbers of visitors, pelicans did widen their enclosure usage with increased visitor presence. These data are relevant to those attempting to breed this pelican, who wish to know more about the daily behavior patterns of this species across the season and physiological state, and who wish to understand pelican social structure, which is useful to the planning and implementation of bird moves or changes to the social environment of the flock. Further extending such research to include uninterrupted observation over a successful breeding event is recommended. Captive great white pelicans display preferential, nonrandom bonds. Social network analysis, in conjunction with measurement of activity patterns and enclosure usage, provides extra insight into reproductive activity and can be used by zoos to evaluate husbandry and management around breeding events. Highlights Captive great white pelicans show a structured social network of nonrandom associations between birds in the flock. Preferential dyadic associations are noted between and within sexes and these may be indicative of a social support mechanisms within the flock. Behavior change is noted across season, with increases in vigilance levels potentially predicting nesting.