Researchers at Oregon State University have shown that birds use "social information" to
In their work, scientists used two groupscrossbills. The first of them "received" information about hunger for three days, the second (control) at the moment when access to food was limited. To mimic resource dwindling, the researchers limited the test crossbills to two short feeding periods per day. At the same time, the control group was limited in resources immediately, and the main group - after three days (the birds could hear each other).
After receiving a "warning" from neighborsthe crossbills, which retained access to food, began to eat more actively, the authors of the work note. In addition, by the end of the experiment, this group had greater intestinal mass and better maintained the size of the pectoral muscles used for flight.
Social information is important for animals duringmany different contexts. This study demonstrates a novel benefit: early warning about food withdrawal can lead to better outcomes in times of scarcity.
Janey Cornelius, Oregon State University biologist, author
Researchers believe that information sharing is an evolutionary mechanism that animals use to survive in the face of drastic environmental changes.
Cover image: Oregon State University
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