Temperament of psittaciformes and its implications in pre- and post-release stages of translocation projects

Abstract

Temperament can influence behavioral responses in pre- and post-release contexts. Studies evaluating this relationship in representatives of the order Psittaciformes are still scarce. Thus, we aimed to understand the implications of psittacine temperament in pre- and postrelease contexts within translocation projects. Our objectives included: a) conducting a systematic review on temperament in Psittaciformes, focusing on methodological aspects and identifying the main dimensions for this order; b) investigating the behavioral effects of neck collars on two Neotropical psittacine species, Pionus maximiliani and Primolius maracana, while exploring the relationship between temperament and differences in collar adaptation; and c) analyzing associations between temperament and the behavior of these birds after release. Although we identified 22 temperament dimensions for the Psittaciformes order, there is a noticeable lack of standardization in the terminology used in the literature. Pre- and post-release behavior was the most frequently studied topic in research on Psittaciformes temperament. The use of collars affected the behavioral budget of the birds, which only partially habituated to the devices. Temperament was unrelated to collar adaptation, but Pionus maximiliani interacted with the collars more than Primolius maracana. Shyer birds took longer to exit the aviary, whereas bolder individuals tended to approach humans more often. After release, the birds spent more time moving and interacting with each other compared to when they were in captivity. Pre- and post-release contexts of translocations are critical for the adaptation of animals to the wild, and there is a clear relationship between the temperament of these birds and their behaviors post-release. Such studies contribute to predicting the behavior of parrots after release, facilitating the development and application of more effective pre- and post-release measures to enhance their adaptation and to avoid human-wildlife conflicts.