Meeting Abstract

P3-92   -   Parrots of New York: positional behavior of feral Quaker parrots (Myiopsitta monachus) Granatosky, MC*; Dickinson, E; Young, MW; Youlatos, D; College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY; College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY; College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY; School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece Michael.Granatosky@nyit.edu https://www.nyit.edu/bio/Michael.Granatosky

Falls from heights are currently the leading cause of workplace fatalities. As such, the development of an automated unmanned option is sorely required. However, when moving at heights the diversity of available substrates presents a demanding, discontinuous, and unpredictable 3D environment. Recent studies have suggested utilizing bio-inspired robotics that replicate the arboreal movements of animals might prove a fruitful venture for filling this gap. Psittaciform birds offer an appealing solution, given the relatively simple anatomy of their grasping feet and beak, and the high maneuverability and stability they demonstrate in arboreal habitats. However, no data is available on how these animals navigate their arboreal environment. In this study, we used scan sampling protocols to analyze positional behavior and substrate preferences of free-ranging feral Quaker parrots (Myiopsitta monachus) in Brooklyn, New York. More than 11,000 observations were recorded over a six-month period from January to June 2021. Animals utilized arboreal substrates most frequently (85.6%), but also moved terrestrially (4%) and on man-made structures (10%). When in trees, Quaker parrots favored small (~15%) and terminal (~20%) branches that were horizontally-oriented (70%). Excluding flight-based locomotor bouts, walking (39%), shuffling (22%), and climbing (21%) – which included both beak-assisted and wing-assisted behaviors – were all used to navigate effectively throughout their environment. Parrots exhibited a wide array of locomotor modes, while locomotor diversity increased significantly when using man-made structures as substrates (as measured by Shannon’s Diversity Index). These data indicate that living in urban environments may require animals to adopt greater levels of locomotor plasticity and may provide insights for successfully and efficiently coping with similar constraints.