The ability of the two-month mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) for the effective extraction of hydrocoles from the water in
complete darkness was experimentally demonstrated. The effectiveness (mean time for catching of one tadpole), success
(the proportion of the experiments ended by successful catching of the objects) and stability (variations in the rate of
the catching) of the feeding behavior in the darkness were significantly better in the elder ducklings compared to the
six weeks ones. At the light they do not statistically di er. The local anesthesia of the tip of the beak of two-month
ducklings dramatically hampers the effectiveness and success of tadpoles’ obtaining in the darkness, but don’t affect
them in the light. The idea of the important role of the bill tip organ containing tactile receptors of di erent
modalities in the feeding behavior of dabbling ducks is putting forward.
Key words:
mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), dabbling ducks, feeding behavior, bill tip organ
Cite:
Avilova K. V.
Pishchedobyvatelnoe povedenie kryakvy (anas platyrhynchos) v temnote
[The feeding behavior of the mallard (anas platyrhynchos) in the darkness].
Sensornye sistemy [Sensory systems].
2017.
V. 31(2).
P. 139-143 (in Russian).
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