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Group foraging sensitivity to predictable and unpredictable changes in food distribution: past experience or present
Kenneth E Bell1, William M Baum
1Rivier College, USA.
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|September 10, 2002
Summary
Pigeons adjust foraging based on past experience, but rely less on it in unpredictable environments. This demonstrates adaptive foraging strategies in changing conditions.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Ecology
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Ideal free distribution theory predicts equal resource-to-forager ratios across patches.
- Foragers' assessment of patch profitability is key but debated.
- Past experience is a common foraging assessment strategy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how pigeons assess patch profitability in predictable vs. unpredictable environments.
- To determine if pigeons adjust their reliance on past experience based on environmental stability.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments with flocks of pigeons foraging at two food patches.
- Manipulated predictability of resource ratios across days and within sessions.
- Recorded foraging decisions in response to varying environmental conditions.
Main Results:
- Pigeon foraging decisions were influenced by past experience.
- Reliance on past experience decreased significantly in unpredictable foraging environments.
- Results mirrored findings from individual choice studies.
Conclusions:
- Pigeons demonstrate flexible foraging strategies, adapting to environmental unpredictability.
- The study supports the idea that foragers can shift from experience-based to current-condition-based assessment.
- Findings have implications for understanding animal decision-making in dynamic ecosystems.