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When individuals react differently to a stimulus, and these behavioural trait differences are repeatable (consistent) across time and contexts, the variation is known as personality (eg Briffa & Weiss 2010). Using data from successive behavioural assays, Biro (2012) showed that within-individual behavioural responses during initial tests in a relatively unfamiliar environment were not repeatable. In contrast, later tests conducted in the same environment, which was relatively more familiar, produced repeatable behaviours. Biro therefore suggested that a large number of observations (! 10) per individual are required to acclimate and characterize labile behavioural states rigorously. We believe that Biro’s assay unintentionally conflates different types of behavioural traits. This issue is not discussed in the commentary. We also propose that rapid repeated behavioural assays habituate individuals and the results cannot be extrapolated to assaying in a novel and unfamiliar environment. Finally, we suggest that Biro’s recommended number of repeat samples per individual is often not logistically feasible in wild populations.

A behavioural trait can be measured along an axis with high and low estimates of the trait represented as extremes. Réale et al.(2007) suggested that behavioural traits can be divided into five guideline categories:(1) shyebold: an individual’s response to a risky situation in a familiar environment;(2) exploratione avoidance: an individual’s response to a novel situation, such as an unfamiliar environment or object;(3) activity: the activity level of an individual in a nonrisky and familiar environment;(4) aggressiveness: an individual’s …