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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 110(1)

Patterns of daily activity of Meyer’s Parrot (Poicephalus meyeri) in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Rutledge S. Boyes A B C and Mike R. Perrin A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Research Centre for African Parrot Conservation, School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa. Email: Perrin@ukzn.ac.za

B Present address: DST/NRF Centre of Excellence, Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa.

C Corresponding author. Email: boyes@africaskyblue.org

Emu 110(1) 54-65 https://doi.org/10.1071/MU09067
Submitted: 21 May 2009  Accepted: 2 October 2009   Published: 24 February 2010

Abstract

Most parrots from Africa, Australasia and the Neotropics have bimodal patterns of daily activity owing to physiological restrictions (e.g. crop-size) and climatic constraints (e.g. seasonal fluctuations in temperature and rainfall). We monitored the daily patterns of flight, feeding and non-feeding activities of Meyer’s Parrots (Poicephalus meyeri) over 24 months at two study sites for correlation with climatic conditions, availability of food, and mean rates of protein and energy acquisition from these food resources. Feeding activity between 0830 and 1100 hours was likely to be obligate, whereas feeding between 1600 and 1830 hours was seasonally needed to achieve daily protein requirements. This weak bimodality was supported by daily nutritional requirements and midday digestive restrictions (e.g. fixed crop-size). Feeding activity patterns of Meyer’s Parrots at population level were significantly influenced by high and low temperatures throughout the year. A bimodal pattern of daily flight-activity was, however, a function of communal roosting and dispersal for foraging as central-place foragers. The patterns of daily activity of other parrots that rely on seeds may also be constrained by similar physiological, behavioural and climatic factors. Counting Meyer’s Parrots in the late morning, between 0830 and 1100 hours, would yield the highest minimum population estimate for a given area.


Acknowledgements

Our project was predominantly sponsored by the Research Centre for African Parrot Conservation and British Ecological Society. Other funding was contributed by the National Research Foundation, Wilderness Safaris Wildlife Trust, World Parrot Trust and Gay Langmuir Foundation. Map Ives, Kai Collins and all the staff of Wilderness Safaris Botswana are thanked for their valuable support throughout the project. Tony Ruemerman and Clinton Phillips are thanked for patience and assistance in the plant and invertebrate identification. We are indebted to volunteer field assistance from Chris Boyes, Pieter Hugo, Francoise Joubert and Erica Case. Prof. Dave Ward provided valuable assistance and commentary on the statistical analyses. The support of my parents, Rutledge and Vikki Boyes, was keystone to the completion of the Meyer’s Parrot Project.


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