Embedded Files
In Fall 2022, a small group of biology students started Investigating the Effect of Flock Size on Vigilance in the American Coot (Fulica americana) in Relationship to Habitat, based off of a past research paper published by AVC alumni. The purpose of the study was to see if playing predatory sounds within 10 yards of the specimen would trigger an additional vigilance pattern, compared to a control 'silent' setting. We wanted to see whether or not their domesticated lifestyles reduced their spatial awareness to predators, and how that would effect their population size (as their native predator, coyotes, live in nearby desert plots). Our results are still under analysis, and we intend to publish our paper by early Spring 2023.
Copy of End of the Year Presentation (Undergraduate Research).pdfLead Advisor: Dr. Nisani & Dr. Shipp
Publishing Group: Diana Ferrassoli, Cesar Armenta, Rabi Elkhoury, Christine Sipin, & Brooklyn Stone
Honorable Mentions: Dylan Sandoval & Tahy Sprague
Survey Site: Apollo Park, a 54-acre park featuring 3 man-made lakes for fishing & boating plus play equipment & walking paths located at 4555 W Ave G, Lancaster, CA 93536.
Pictured from left to right: Dylan Sandaval, Christine Sipin, Rabi Elkhoury, Tahy Sprague, & Brooklyn Stone (pictured by Diana Ferrassoli)
Maintaining our distance to eliminate disturbing our species, we recorded intervals of playing randomized predatory sounds or control silence (to eliminate the variable of a static, undetectable to the human ear, disturbing the birds) to later analyze for a variety of behaviors (e.g. pruning, foraging, leaving). Particularly, we were looking for signs of vigilance, which indicate that they were aware of their surroundings enough to detect potential predators.
Each of us would document the recording intervals and sound played, in addition to the time, weather status, & other variables. At the end of our sessions, we would compare our notebooks over breakfast (as we were often surveying vigilance at 7:30am in the morning consistently, to maintain a pattern). Our recordings would be used to see any correlation between the American Coot's vigilance patterns and the weather (if applicable).
Pictured from left to right: Brookyln Stone, Tahy Sprague, Cesar Armenta, Dylan Sandoval, Christine Sipin & Rabi Elkhoury (pictured by Diana Ferrassoli)
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse