Using human-imprinted pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) chicks to investigate farmland foraging potential
Author(s)
Hitchcock, Gwendolen Elizabeth
Type
Thesis
Abstract
Pheasant chicks, like many other farmland birds, require a large proportion of
invertebrates in their diet for successful growth and development during their first few
weeks. This study used human-imprinted pheasant chicks as a novel sampling tool to
investigate which arable habitats provided the best foraging. Using human-imprinted
chicks decreased sampling bias and allowed a biologically relevant method of
assessing invertebrate availability within each habitat. Faecal analysis was used to
identify which invertebrates were eaten and correction factors established to take into
account the differing digestion rates of different fragments. The validity of using
commercially farmed chicks for this study was confirmed by the comparison of wild
and farmed strain chicks.
The value of non-cropped areas, both long-term set-aside and crops planted for game
cover, in terms of diet and cover is confirmed. Greater proportions of preferred prey
groups were consumed in both types of set-aside than in the commercial crop fields.
Interestingly, no difference was found between spring and winter sown cereals and
non-cereal crops. The long-term set-aside areas were found to be particularly
beneficial to foraging birds as their vegetation structure allowed easy access to
potential prey items.
As farming has intensified, many farmland birds, which also require invertebrates
during their early stages, have declined. If the diet of imprinted pheasant chicks is
comparable to those of other farmland birds this method could be used to accurately
assess benefits to avian conservation on a wider scale. Human-imprinted grey
partridge foraging with pheasant chicks showed similar behaviour and ate similar
insects indicating that habitats benefiting one are likely to benefit the other. Faecal
samples collected from wild broods of other farmland birds - the skylark, yellow
wagtail and lapwing - showed certain similarities in dietary preference implying that
careful comparisons may be made.
invertebrates in their diet for successful growth and development during their first few
weeks. This study used human-imprinted pheasant chicks as a novel sampling tool to
investigate which arable habitats provided the best foraging. Using human-imprinted
chicks decreased sampling bias and allowed a biologically relevant method of
assessing invertebrate availability within each habitat. Faecal analysis was used to
identify which invertebrates were eaten and correction factors established to take into
account the differing digestion rates of different fragments. The validity of using
commercially farmed chicks for this study was confirmed by the comparison of wild
and farmed strain chicks.
The value of non-cropped areas, both long-term set-aside and crops planted for game
cover, in terms of diet and cover is confirmed. Greater proportions of preferred prey
groups were consumed in both types of set-aside than in the commercial crop fields.
Interestingly, no difference was found between spring and winter sown cereals and
non-cereal crops. The long-term set-aside areas were found to be particularly
beneficial to foraging birds as their vegetation structure allowed easy access to
potential prey items.
As farming has intensified, many farmland birds, which also require invertebrates
during their early stages, have declined. If the diet of imprinted pheasant chicks is
comparable to those of other farmland birds this method could be used to accurately
assess benefits to avian conservation on a wider scale. Human-imprinted grey
partridge foraging with pheasant chicks showed similar behaviour and ate similar
insects indicating that habitats benefiting one are likely to benefit the other. Faecal
samples collected from wild broods of other farmland birds - the skylark, yellow
wagtail and lapwing - showed certain similarities in dietary preference implying that
careful comparisons may be made.
Date Issued
2010-03
Date Awarded
2010-10
Advisor
Hardie, Jim
Sponsor
Imperial College London ; the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) ; Graf. Hardegg ; BBSRC
Creator
Hitchcock, Gwendolen Elizabeth
Publisher Department
Biology
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)