Abstract
The response of northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) to the presence of red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) during the first 6 days post-hatching was examined in a 9-week-field experiment during spring and summer 1993 in southeastern Texas. Behavior of a focal animal was recorded continuously for 15 min in a 30M2 area from which fire ants had been removed and in a similar, adjacent area with natural densities of fire ants. Activities of a focal animal were categorized as: response to fire ants, locomotion, inactive, sleeping, and pecking at food. Results suggested red imported fire ants can alter the daily activity budgets of northern bobwhite chicks. Time spent responding directly to fire ants affected the amount of time spent performing other behaviors such as locomotion, sleeping, and pecking at food. The degree to which chick behavior was altered depended on season, which affected ant activity levels, and age of the chick, which influenced allotment of time to all activities, including response to fire ants. Shifts in the daily activity budgets of chicks during the first 6 days post-hatching may have cumulative effects that manifest themselves later in life. Ultimately, fire ants may exert natural selection pressures affecting seasonality of nesting in northern bobwhites and other ground-nesting birds.
Pedersen, Elena Kalleso (1994). Impact of the red imported fire ant on newly hatched northern bobwhite. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -1994 -THESIS -P371.