Migratory disposition (i.e., migratory activity [Zugunruhe] and hyperphagia) can be experimentally induced in captive birds. Research focusing on captive migratory behavior is important because this research allows scientists to ask in-depth questions on bird condition related to behavior. Most research on migratory restlessness has been conducted on landbirds with a knowledge gap on captive waterfowl migratory behavior. We hypothesized that captive Blue-winged Teals would exhibit migratory restlessness during fall and spring migration. Employing video surveillance cameras and infrared motion sensors, we investigated whether teals would 1) enter migratory disposition, as shown by mass gain and 2) exhibit an increase of migratory activity, consistent with migratory activity (Zugunruhe). We found that teals, when photoadvanced, exhibit behavior consistent with migratory disposition, including hyperphagia and increased nighttime activity. In addition, the nighttime activity was consistent with Zugunruhe with increased restless behaviors like wing activity and looking up. According to our knowledge, this is the first study to successfully demonstrate that under controlled conditions waterfowl exhibit migratory disposition and restlessness.
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