Uso de técnicas de falcoaria no amansamento de Carcará (Caracara plancus) em cativeiro

estudo de caso

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the behavior of a Carcará (Caracara plancus) specimen before and after the application of falconry techniques for taming. This procedure was necessary due to the fact that the animal had been in captivity for at least two years and had its routine changed several times. First, the behavioral acts were observed and then divided into 5 categories and 17 behaviors. These data were used to construct the first etogram called pre-taming. Then, the techniques of falconry were applied and then new observations were made for the construction of the second etogram called post-taming. The observations totaled 32 hours. The comparison of the pre- and post-taming etograms indicated the maintenance of the same categories and behaviors; however, the specimen was more active, with a 21.25% increase in its acts. It is also worth mentioning that the frequency of categories varied: there was a reduction in the vocalization category (-41.54%), an increase in the locomotion category (+ 52.88%), a little variation in the maintenance category (+ 1.63%), of the food category (+ 279.16%). Thus, it is shown that taming is an effective tool in reducing stress, as it is shown by the decrease in agonistic behavior and increase in animal welfare, expressed by the increase in the natural activities of the species, mainly locomotion and feeding. We suggest the continuity of animal management so that it remains habituated to human presence, as suggested by the literature.