EFFECTS OF RED IMPORTED FIRE ANTS ON NEWLY-HATCHED NORTHERN BOBWHITE

We examined the response of pen-raised northern bobwhite (Colinus virg inianus) to the presence of red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta ) during the first 6 days post-hatching in a 9-week field experiment d uring spring and summer 1993 in southeastern Texas. We recorded behavi or of a focal animal continuously for 15 minutes in a 30-m(2) area fro m which fire ants had been removed and in a similar, adjacent area wit h natural densities of fire ants. We categorized activities of a focal animal as: response to fire ants, moving, inactivity, sleeping, and p ecking at food. Red imported fire ants altered daily activity budgets of pen-raised northern bobwhite chicks. Time spent responding directly to fire ants affected the allotment of time to other behaviors such a s moving, sleeping, and pecking at food. The effects on chick behavior varied seasonally, in relation to ant activity, and age of the chick. Ant activity and age of the chick also influenced allotment of time t o all activities,including response to fire ants. .