Quantification of abnormal repetitive behaviour in captive European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)

Ben O. Brilot, Lucy Asher, Gesa Feenders, Melissa Bateson

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Articlepeer-review

24 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Stereotypies are repetitive, unvarying and goalless behaviour patterns that are often considered indicative of poor welfare in captive animals. Quantifying stereotypies can be difficult, particularly during the early stages of their development when behaviour is still flexible. We compared two methods for objectively quantifying the development of route-tracing stereotypies in caged starlings. We used Markov chains and T-pattern analysis (implemented by the software package, Theme) to identify patterns in the sequence of locations a bird occupied within its cage. Pattern metrics produced by both methods correlated with the frequency of established measures of stereotypic behaviour and abnormal behaviour patterns counted from video recordings, suggesting that both methods could be useful for identifying stereotypic individuals and quantifying stereotypic behaviour. We discuss the relative benefits and disadvantages of the two approaches. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)256-264
Number of pages9
JournalBehavioural Processes
Volume82
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Markov chain analysis
  • Somersaulting
  • Starling
  • Stereotypic behaviour
  • Sturnus vulgaris
  • Theme

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