|
Project properties |
|
| Title | Animal Communication: Social/communication/movement behaviour of wild Australian zebra finches |
| Group | Behavioural Ecology |
| Project type | thesis |
| Credits | 12-36 |
| Supervisor(s) | Marc Naguib, Hugo Loning and/or Chris Tyson |
| Examiner(s) | Marc Naguib |
| Contact info | marc.naguib@wur.nl; hugo.loning@wur.nl; chris.tyson@wur.nl |
| Begin date | 2018/08/01 |
| End date | |
| Description | Zebra finches are the world's most studied songbird in the lab, but relatively little is known about their ecology. We are working on vocal communication, social networks, breeding behaviour and movement behaviour of Australian zebra finches living in the wild.
The project takes place in the Australian outbacks at Fowlers gap Arid Zone Research Station in NSW where a team of researchers and students (from WUR, Macquarie University, Sydney) studies the ecology of wild zebra finches. This project will focus in general on their communication during breeding but a range of options are possible so that specific projects have to be discussed. The population we are studying is well managed with good logistics. Field work will require long hours, in part high temperature and team work (and team accommodation). Field season commonly starts in September/October and lasts several weeks/a few months. BSc projects will (and also MSc projects can) be based in Wageningen using data collected during the field work. For specifics please contact us. |
| Used skills | Skills in R and willingless to learn/familiarity with audio analyses are beneficial. Experience with and knowledge of birds is an advantage. |
| Requirements | BSc thesis: Animal Behaviour BHE20303, MSc thesis: Behavioural Ecology BHE30306; ideally field and travel experience; excellent english communication skills |