Post-Hatching Development of Posture and Behavior in the Barn Owl (<i>Tyto alba</i>): From a General Behavioral Pattern of Vertebrates to the Typical Owl Behavior.

ABSTRACT: Hatching captive barn owl chicks underwent four developmental phases. In the first 10 days (phase 1), behavior consisted of lateral movements that gradually changed to forward progression and peaked a few days before and after eye-opening. This behavior resembled a general developmental pattern that characterizes other vertebrates. Chicks also underwent a postural change, from head bent underneath the ventrum to resting on the rear end of the trunk with the head lifted in the air. Then, once their eyes were opened, chicks became more stationary and preoccupied with visual exploration, manifested in lateral head movements and peering episodes (phase 2, until day 20). The latter behavior, which is also typical of mature owls when not on the wing, characterized the chicks' behavior after post

SUBMITTER: Eilam D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11504010 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature