Examining the impact of the 'visitor effect' and weather variables on the behavior of Chilean flamingos (Phoenicopterus chilensis) via webcam.

This article investigates the "visitor effect"—the impact of human zoo visitors on animal behavior—in captive Chilean flamingos (Phoenicopterus chilensis) at Reid Park Zoo (Tucson, AZ) using a publicly available online webcam to eliminate researcher presence as a confounding factor. The study found that flamingos tended to cluster more closely together on days with higher numbers of human visitors, suggesting a defensive grouping behavior similar to that observed in wild flamingos. Additionally, weather variables such as higher temperatures, lower barometric pressure, and lower wind speeds were associated with increased flamingo activity, while favorable weather conditions correlated with greater visitor attendance. The research demonstrates the utility of remote webcam observation for studying animal behavior and visitor effects without direct human interference.