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Footedness in merlins: Raptors perching in a cold climate
1Environmental Science Program, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Corner Brook, Canada.
Laterality
|July 9, 2024
Summary
Bird foot preference for perching is not consistent. Merlins (Falco columbarius) showed a peak in one-footed perching at moderate cold temperatures, suggesting thermoregulation isn't the main driver.
Area of Science:
- Ornithology
- Animal Behavior
- Thermoregulation
Background:
- Unipedal (one-footed) perching is common in birds, especially in cold weather to conserve heat.
- However, the consistency of foot preference and the role of thermoregulation in this behavior are not well understood, particularly in birds of prey.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate foot preference and the relationship between temperature and unipedal perching in overwintering merlins (Falco columbarius).
Main Methods:
- Radio tracking was used to observe nine free-living merlins over 486 hours in Saskatoon, Canada.
- The proportion of time spent in unipedal posture was recorded in relation to ambient temperature.
Main Results:
- Five of nine merlins showed a foot preference, but this was not consistent across individuals.
- Four birds were ambidextrous.
- A curvilinear relationship was observed between temperature and unipedal perching, with a peak usage around -10 to -19°C, and lower usage at warmer and colder temperatures.
Conclusions:
- While some merlins exhibit foot preference, thermoregulation may not be the primary factor driving unipedal perching behavior in colder temperatures.
- The relationship between temperature and unipedal perching is complex and not linear.
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