Escape-reaction of captive young red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) reared with or without visual contact with man

It was noted that adult birds of Alectoris rufa, hatched and reared in captivity, cannot survive in nature after their release for restocking for hunting. An attempt was made to ascertain what effect various kinds of visual experiences with man during the first 2 months of life might have on the escape-response of young individuals.

It was observed that absence of visual contact with man during the 48 h after hatching causes fear of human beings in those individuals when 2 months old. Conversely, subjects which were in visual contact with man during the 48 h after hatching did not show this tendency to escape in front of him.

The possible links between this finding and the phenomenon of imprinting, together with the need for new rearing techniques, are discussed.