Birds can learn what food to eat and what to avoid by watching other birds do the same on TV, according to a new study from the University of Cambridge. This allows the chickadee to better select good and bad tasting almonds.
, published recently in the Journal of Animal Ecology, found that titmouse (Cyanistes caeruleus) and great tit (Parus major) learned what not to eat by watching video of other chickadees choosing their food through trial and error. . This extramural experience can help them avoid potential poisoning and even death.
The researchers used almond flakes sealed inside a white paper bag. Various almond flakes were soaked in a bitter tasting solution. The responses of the birds to good and bad tasting almond packets were recorded and then shown to other birds. The bad taste packages had a square symbol printed on them.
The bird watched as its other relatives figured out which almond packets tasted best. The TV bird's reaction to the unpleasant food ranged from shaking its head to vigorously wiping its beak. Both titmouse and great tits ate fewer bitter packs of squares after watching the bird's behavior on TV with the behavior being recorded.
βTitmouse and great tits forage together and have similar diets, but may differ in their hesitation in trying new foods,β said Liisa Hamalainen, a researcher in the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge. βBy observing others, they can quickly and safely know which prey is best to pay attention to. This can reduce the time and energy they spend trying different foods, as well as help them avoid the harmful effects of eating toxic food.β
This is the first study to show that blue tits are just as good at learning as great tits when observing the feeding habits of other birds.
Source: 3dnews.ru