Comportamento alimentar e preferência de consumo de araras, tucanos e araçaris durante a reabilitação

Abstract

The senses of smell and sight can play important roles in birds' food choices. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate and compare the influences of visual and olfactory stimuli on decisions to interact with food, food types and preparations on the behavior and food preferences of blue-and-yellow macaws (Ara ararauna) and Ramphastidae, of the species toco toucan (Ramphastos toco) and chestnut-bellied toucans (Pteroglossus castanotis) kept in rehabilitation. The tests involving different food groups revealed that birds show a clear preference for foods that combine favorable sensory characteristics, such as aroma, color, and, above all, familiarity. Therefore, understanding food preferences based on sensory stimuli is a valuable strategy not only for environmental enrichment, but also for the development of more efficient rehabilitation protocols that respect the behavioral, ecological, and physiological needs of the species involved. Therefore, birds have distinct preferences and habits among species, with macaws being more attracted to yellow-colored foods and toucans to red and blue colors. Fruity aromas also proved to be more attractive. In addition, the combination of visual and olfactory stimuli revealed that sight has a greater influence on food choices, especially when associated with familiar aromas. Thus, familiarity and sensory stimuli play a decisive role in the behavior and food preferences of the species studied.