What’s happening:

Researchers have found that captive breeding can have a positive effect on the flight and migration abilities of Egyptian vultures. Through high-resolution GPS tracking, Ornithologists at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev discovered that experience has a significant impact on the development of these skills in birds, with captive-raised vultures catching up with their wild-raised counterparts in performance.

Why it matters:

The survival of Egyptian vultures, which have faced declining populations, could hinge on their ability to effectively migrate and find food. These findings demonstrate that animals raised in captivity are capable of learning and adapting to the wild, potentially aiding conservation efforts by releasing captive-bred individuals to restore or enhance wild populations.

The big picture:

This study entitled “Early and accumulated experience shape migration and flight in Egyptian vultures” delves into how first-time experiences and accumulated knowledge influence the development of vultures’ flying patterns during migration – key to their survival. Ornithologists tracked a sample of 65 birds across 127 migrations to compare the flight performance between birds raised in captivity versus those raised in the wild. Both groups showed improved flight and migration skills with experience, but the fastest progress was made by those raised in captivity.

By the numbers:

The study is not just about numbers, but insights into how resilience and adaptability are traits found not only in humans but in birds like the Egyptian vulture. Life experiences deeply affect the proficiency of these creatures that depend on strong migration skills for their lifestyle and survival.

Up close:

Egyptian vultures utilize tools – a rare trait among birds – and require complex behaviors to forage and breed successfully. Understanding the ways in which these birds can acquire necessary skills is crucial, especially for species at risk. Habilitation efforts for captive-bred individuals could make significant contributions to the sustainability of their populations.

The challenges:

These vultures are endangered on some islands and their overall populations diminished throughout the 20th century due to hunting, accidental poisoning, and collisions with power lines. It is imperative to find ways to ensure their longevity as crucial components of the ecosystem where they serve an important role in scavenging and controlling dead animal populations.

Knowledge is power:

The first few migrations proved more challenging for the captive-bred birds, but with time and experience, they quickly achieved a migratory capacity close to their wild-born brethren. This data stresses the potential of accumulative experience to overcome initial developmental deficits.

Quote of note:

“It seems that birds, like humans, are also affected by their life experiences,” noted Dr. Ron Efrat, who participated in the research. Shining a light on the adaptability of animals raised in human-controlled environments promises a new understanding of animal behavior that could re-shape conservation strategies.

Related Tags:

Beersheba, scientific study, Ben Gurion University, Birds

This story was first published on jpost.com.