The effect of light on the behaviour of captive brown kiwi Apteryx mantelli : implications for captive management : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Conservation Biology at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
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Date
2012
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Massey University
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Abstract
The impact of light intensity and spectrum on the behaviour of captive brown kiwi Apteryx
mantelli was examined through behavioural observation. This topic was chosen as most
animals have a significant response to light and there are currently no guidelines for the light
regimes of nocturnal houses or brooder rooms that house brown kiwi. In the first experiment
the amount of time that a kiwi spent in enclosure areas illuminated by four different colours
was observed. The behaviour of the kiwi was not affected by colour but significantly more time
was spent in enclosure areas that were darker and close to the edge of the enclosure. A
second experiment investigated the amount of time that eight captive display kiwi spent in
areas of their enclosure based on illumination intensity; again more time was spent in darker
and peripheral areas as well as in areas of moderate to high structural coverage though these
factors were interacting and did not singularly explain where time was spent in the enclosure.
Finally the effect of early brooder light exposure on the later outdoor emergence times of nine
neonatal brown kiwi was observed. Chicks that were housed for their first month of life in
brooders diurnally lit by 150-200 lux emerged sooner after sunset once they were later housed
in outdoor pens; this is compared with chicks housed in brooders brighter than 300 lux.
Overall, light intensity and structure appeared to be the most significant environmental factors
though much individual variation was found. Based on my results nocturnal houses that are no
brighter than five lux and have at least 50% structurally covered and peripheral areas are most
likely to be preferred by kiwi. Brooder boxes may need to be dimmed if a long-term
behavioural effect is occurring from current brooder light regimes. These results support the
widely held belief that kiwi do not rely on vision for information about their surroundings but
may have good perception of light intensity as a result of having high rod photoreceptor
density. It is more likely that kiwi rely on highly developed tactile and olfactory senses than
vision. Results may be applicable to nocturnal mammals that also show high predator
avoidance behaviour and/or do not rely on vision, such as some primates and rodents.
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Keywords
Brown kiwi, Kiwi, Apteryx mantelli, Captive kiwi, Captive bird management, Effect of light on nocturnal birds, Kiwi behaviour, Captive kiwi behaviour