Foraging Behavior

This single mother must learn quickly — or her colony won’t survive

Wild parrots quickly learn to eat new foods by copying their friends

A study found that wild sulphur-crested cockatoos learn about novel food through social learning, with juveniles more likely to conform to the majority's preferences. The birds' dietary knowledge spread rapidly through their community, influenced by age groups and sex.

Sunbirds suck their nectar, in dramatic contrast to hummingbirds, which sop it up

A new study reveals that sunbirds employ tongue suction to slurp nectar, a novel mechanism in vertebrates. This finding highlights the power of convergent evolution, where different species adapt to similar ecological challenges in distinct ways.

Birds do it, bees do it … sip alcohol, that is

A study by University of California, Berkeley biologists found detectable alcohol in at least one flower of 26 of the 29 species of plants tested. Hummingbirds and other animals consume small doses throughout the day without apparent effects, but may metabolize ethanol like mammals do.

Bee dancing is better with the right audience

A recent study on honey bees' waggle dance reveals that the dance's precision is influenced by audience size and composition. When there are more observers, dancers become less precise, suggesting that the performer adjusts its movements to engage with a larger crowd, ultimately conveying critical information about food sources.

Bee dancing is better with the right audience

Researchers found that honey bees change the precision of their waggle dance depending on the size and composition of their audience. The dancers adjust their movements to search for a receptive crowd, resulting in less precise signals when few bees are present.

First comprehensive sex-specific atlas of GLP-1 in the mouse brain reveals why blockbuster weight-loss drugs may work differently in females and males

Researchers mapped GLP-1 expression in 25 brain regions in each sex, uncovering striking differences in key circuits. The atlas reveals sex-biased expression in certain medullary nuclei, with higher Glp1 densities and numbers of Glp1-expressing neurons in females compared to males.

Urine tests confirm alcohol consumption in wild African chimpanzees

A recent study has confirmed that wild African chimpanzees consume significant quantities of alcohol, with 17 out of 20 urine samples containing ethyl glucuronide, a metabolic byproduct of ethanol. The chimps' diet likely consists of fermented fruits, which provide around 14 grams of ethanol per day.

Food critics or food grabbers? When choosing food, wood mice split into careful examiners who sniff and handle, and quick nut grabbers

Researchers at Nagoya University found that about half of wood mice take time to examine nuts before selecting, potentially increasing their exposure to predators. Despite this risk, the extra time investment pays off as picky eaters are more likely to select undamaged chestnuts.

Hayfeeders and other tools can improve health, welfare of stabled horses

Simple items like hay feeders and giant rubber activity balls can improve horse behavior and reduce health issues such as ulcers and fragile leg bones. Researchers found that stabled horses displayed increased movement and reduced frustration behaviors when provided with enrichment tools.

Leafcutter ants have blind spots, just like truck drivers

Scientists discovered that leafcutter ants with large loads perform fewer antennae taps per step, limiting their ability to perceive the trail. By reducing the load, they increase antennae taps, highlighting the impact of oversized loads on trail navigation.

Decoding a decade of grouper grunts unlocks spawning secrets, shifts

Researchers analyzed over 2,000 hours of underwater recordings to detect subtle shifts in red hind spawning behavior and population dynamics. The study found a notable shift in the balance of mating calls over the 12-year period, with calls linked to competition becoming dominant.

In the wild, chimpanzees likely ingest the equivalent of several alcoholic drinks every day

Researchers at UC Berkeley find that chimpanzees consume about 14 grams of pure ethanol per day, equivalent to one standard American drink. This chronic exposure suggests a dietary heritage of alcohol from our common ancestor with chimpanzees.

New research reveals wild octopus arms in action

A new study by Florida Atlantic University reveals that every arm is capable of performing all action types, with front arms mainly used for exploration and back arms supporting movement. Octopuses demonstrated remarkable flexibility, showcasing complex motor control.

Nearly 80% of whale sharks in this marine tourism hotspot have human-caused scars

A recent study found that 62% of whale sharks in the Bird's Head Seascape off Indonesian West Papua have scars and injuries from preventable human causes. Simple interventions, such as modifying traditional fishing platforms and boat designs, could greatly lessen this burden on the local population.

Study finds humpback whales only ones capable of bubble-net feeding

Researchers found that humpback whales use their large pectoral flippers to achieve complex turns, allowing them to corral prey with efficiency. This unique strategy is energetically impractical for other whale species, making humpbacks the only ones capable of bubble-net feeding.

Both flexibility and persistence make some birds successful in human-made environments

Research suggests that great-tailed grackles, a species expanding its range across the US, possess high levels of behavioral flexibility. This trait enables them to adjust their foraging behaviors and exploit human-provided resources. However, sociability and habitat use were not strongly correlated with flexibility.

Ocean-savvy penguins ride the tide to save energy and find food, study shows

Researchers tracked adult penguins during return trips from foraging in the ocean off Argentina. The penguins used curved paths shaped by tides to conserve energy and take advantage of feeding opportunities.

Spying on stingrays: first-ever tags reveal elusive behaviors and habitats

Researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute have developed a multi-sensor biologging tag on the whitespotted eagle ray, enabling long attachment times and detailed data collection. The study provides insights into the rays' behavior, habitat use, and social interactions.

Why some elephants take more risks around people than others

Wild elephants closer to farms exhibit higher levels of neophilia, attracting them to unfamiliar objects and increasing the risk of encounters with humans. This behavior may provide an edge in finding food resources but also contributes to conflicts with local communities.

Street smarts: how a hawk learned to use traffic signals to hunt more successfully

A Cooper's hawk learned to exploit long car queues at a street intersection to ambush unsuspecting birds. The bird understood the connection between sound signals and increasing car queue lengths, allowing it to hunt with remarkable precision.

Flamingos create water tornados to trap their prey

Researchers have discovered that flamingos employ a range of active feeding strategies, including stomping, head jerking and beak chattering, to concentrate brine shrimp and small animals into their mouths. These behaviors create whirlpools and eddies that funnel prey towards the birds' mouths.

AMS science preview: Heat stress and height, eclipse effects

Researchers have discovered that urban areas experience a greater difference in wet bulb globe temperature between 0.5 m and 1.5 m above ground due to surface heat radiation, posing health risks to children and pets during extreme heat events. Total solar eclipses also alter atmospheric conditions and insect behavior, with some species...

Halo patterns around coral reefs may signal resilience

New study models spatial patterns of grazing halos around coral reefs and finds that halo patterns can signal reef resilience. The research suggests that stable halos exist where herbivores are limited by predators, while oscillating halos may indicate a shift in system health.

Giant extinct kangaroos preferred home to roam

Researchers used fossil data to predict the home range of Protemnodon, an extinct giant kangaroo, finding it had a smaller foraging range than expected. Climate change and habitat disruption led to local extinction when this small range could not find enough food.

Foraging on the wing: How can ecologically similar birds live together?

Researchers found that foraging behaviors, physical characteristics, and diet are more nuanced than previously thought. The birds partition their habitat by foraging in different areas of the tree, but diet differences are minor.

Reduced movement of starlings with parasite infections has a negative impact on their offspring

Research reveals that infected starlings have limited access to high-quality foraging habitats, leading to poorer physical condition and lower chances of survival in their young. Infected birds spent less time foraging and were more picky in their choice of habitats, resulting in 12% lighter offspring.

Bees actively adjust flower choice based on color and distance: Updating "flower constancy" beyond Darwin's theory

Researchers found that flower constancy is an optimal strategy balancing cognitive and travel costs, not just a memory constraint. Bees decrease constancy when flowers have similar colors or are clustered, but maintain high constancy in mixed environments.

Critically endangered hawksbill turtles migrate up to 1,000km from nesting to foraging grounds in the Western Caribbean, riding with and against ocean currents to congregate in popular feeding hotspots

Researchers tracked hawksbill turtles migrating over 1,000km from nesting sites to foraging grounds in the Western Caribbean. The study found that turtles congregate in specific feeding hotspots despite riding with and against ocean currents.

Foraging footballers suggest how we come together to act as one

A new study found that football teams move as though they are a single person, displaying Lévy walk patterns while hunting for the ball. This collective behavior suggests that individual players complement each other's actions in response to the game.

Drone captures narwhals using their tusks to explore, forage and play

Researchers capture narwhals using their tusks to investigate, manipulate and influence the behavior of Arctic char fish. The study reveals first evidence of likely play, social learning and personality differences among individual narwhal.

Eavesdropping on whale songs sparks new discoveries in whale ecology

Researchers tracked changes in baleen whale song detection over six years, finding correlations with shifts in foraging conditions and food availability. The study's findings suggest that whale song data can provide insights into the health of marine ecosystems and inform conservation efforts.

Revealing underwater secrets with new technique

Researchers developed a new technique to estimate prey size and energy content from animal-borne camera footage, providing insights into predator-prey interactions and foraging strategies. This study on Humboldt, King and Tawaki/Fiordland penguins sheds light on the feeding behavior of marine wildlife.

Damage caused to crops by barnacle geese can be mitigated with designated set-aside and repelling fields

Researchers from the University of Turku and Natural Resources Institute Finland found that combining accommodation and repelling fields can help mitigate crop damage and human-wildlife conflict. The study suggests using stakeholder knowledge and coordinated field design to prepare for goose damage and reduce costs.

Rats anticipate location of food-guarding robots when foraging

Researchers studied rats navigating an L-shape track with a food-guarding robot. The rats created neurological maps of places to avoid after experiencing negative events and thought about these locations even after leaving the area. This finding provides insight into the neuroscience of common psychological conditions like anxiety.

Wind turbines impair the access of bats to water bodies in agricultural landscapes

The study found that wind turbines hinder the ability of bat species to access drinking sites, particularly during hot and dry summers. This can lead to reduced survival rates among female bats and their young, highlighting the need for careful consideration in wind turbine siting to avoid conflicting with species conservation.

Conserving high-elevation grasslands in Peru is key to protect Andean bears

Researchers found Andean bears prefer to forage in dry season for young, tender bromeliad plants on east-facing slopes of puna grassland. They actively select specific food resources within the grasslands, indicating their nutritional importance, while avoiding areas with livestock.

New insights into the evolution and paleoecology of mosasaurs: most comprehensive study to date

Researchers have gained a better understanding of mosasaur evolution, relationships, and behaviors through advanced imaging technologies and comparative anatomy. A new study found evidence of cannibalism in mosasaurs and illuminated patterns of foraging area segregation and feeding diversity.

Desert ants use the polarity of the geomagnetic field for navigation

Researchers found that desert ants rely on the polarity of the geomagnetic field to navigate during learning walks, contradicting previous findings in other insects. The team manipulated magnetic fields and observed the ants' behavior, concluding that a compass-like navigation system is useful for short-distance navigation.

Wyoming research shows early North Americans made needles from fur-bearers

Archaeologists have discovered that early North Americans made needles from the bones of fur-bearers, including foxes, hares, and cats, which were likely used to create garments for warmth. The findings provide strong evidence for tailored garment production using bone needles and fur-bearing animal pelts.

‘Walk this Way’: FSU researchers’ model explains how ants create trails to multiple food sources

A team of FSU researchers created the first model that explains the phenomenon of trail formation to multiple food sources. The model reveals that ants will leave pheromone trails connecting their colony to multiple food sources when they're available, creating an equilibrium where equidistant food sources maintain multiple trails.

Infections with parasites affect the local flight behaviour of swallows

Swallow populations infected with parasites exhibit altered movement patterns, including reduced home ranges and foraging activity. This can lead to decreased foraging success and increased mortality rates.

Weddell seals in the Antarctic strategically time their most extreme dives to maximize foraging

Researchers found that Weddell seals strategically conduct extreme dives earlier in the day to maximize their oxygen stores and foraging success. By avoiding midday dives, the seals can spend more time underwater, taking advantage of high-light conditions, which is ideal for visual hunting.

An individual’s reward-seeking strategy reflects responses to nicotine

A study in mice reveals that individualistic reward-seeking strategies predict responses to nicotine, with profiles influenced by personality traits and dopamine activity. The findings suggest environmental adaptations shape behavioral traits and sensitivity to nicotine, potentially contributing to addiction susceptibility.

Drone footage provides new insight into gray whales’ acrobatic feeding behavior

Researchers used drone footage to study gray whales' foraging behaviors, finding that younger whales use forward swimming while older whales headstand. The study also revealed that bubble blasts help regulate buoyancy while feeding in shallow water.

How do coexisting animals find enough to eat? Biologists unlock insights into foraging habits in Yellowstone

Researchers used cutting-edge molecular biology tools and GPS tracking data to determine the dietary habits of different animal species in Yellowstone. They found that feeding behaviors depend on body size, with smaller species diversifying their diets in summer and larger animals competing for resources in winter.

How does a tiny shrimp find its way home in a vast ocean? Study finds it’s down to their cave’s special smell

A new study reveals that possum shrimp rely on distinctive chemical cues from their underwater caves to find their way back. Researchers found that each cave had a unique water-borne odor bouquet, which helped the shrimp navigate between them.

Young male northern elephant seals are captured on camera returning to a deep sea cabled observatory off Canada's British Columbia coast, demonstrating new insight into fish foraging behavior

Researchers have captured sub-adult male northern elephant seals returning to a deep-sea cabled observatory off Canada's British Columbia coast. The footage provides new insight into their fish foraging behavior at depth.

Humpbacks are among animals who manufacture and wield tools

Researchers discovered that solitary humpback whales in SE Alaska craft complex bubble nets to catch krill, allowing them to capture up to seven times more prey without extra energy. This behavior sheds light on how migratory humpback whales consume enough calories to traverse the Pacific Ocean.

Long-distance relationship revealed in the seemingly random behavior of bowhead whales

Researchers detected a 24-hour cycle of diving during the spring, with whales swimming deepest in the afternoon to track prey. Two bowhead whales were found to dive in synchrony over a week at a time, even when separated by up to 100 km.

Birds need entertainment during avian flu lockdowns

Researchers studied a flock of Chilean flamingos locked indoors due to avian influenza, finding they became inactive upon release, but more alert while indoors. The study suggests providing varied activities can help alleviate bird stress during lockdowns.

Wolves’ return has had only small impact on deer populations in NE Washington, study shows

A study published in Ecological Applications found that wolves' return to northeast Washington has had a limited impact on white-tailed deer populations. Habitat quality and cougar predation were the primary factors shaping deer populations, with wolf predation having a smaller effect.

Blue and great tits deploy surprisingly powerful memories to find food

Researchers found that blue and great tits possess 'episodic-like' memory, recalling past experiences such as food availability, location, and timing. This ability may help the birds cope with environmental stress and fluctuation influenced by climate change.

Invasive ants spread by hitchhiking on everyday vehicles

Researchers found that ants need three main things to succeed when hitchhiking: climbing ability, foraging/colonizing behaviors, and temperature tolerance. The study tracked the spread of invasive ants through non-commercial transport on personal vehicles, highlighting a significant threat to native species.

New research shows why you don’t need to be perfect to get the job done

A new study found that animals use a wide range of strategies to accomplish tasks, many of which are just as effective as the optimal solution but require less brain power. The research provides a theoretical framework for understanding these 'good enough' strategies and their potential applications in animal behavior.

Smarter foragers do not forage smarter

A study in the Panamanian rainforest found that larger-brained primates did not outperform smaller-brained mammals in finding fruit. The research suggests that intelligence may not be directly linked to foraging efficiency, but could be related to other factors such as episodic memory or social complexity.

Camera tags capture social flexibility of Antarctic minke whales

The study reveals that Antarctic minke whales switch companions frequently, forming short-term associations and engaging in both foraging and non-foraging activities. Larger individuals tend to socialize more, and this interaction correlates with reduced feeding efforts.

Constantly on the hunt for food: Harbor porpoises more vulnerable than previously thought to the disturbances from humans

Harbor porpoises spend up to 60% of their day hunting small fish to stay warm in cold waters. New research shows that this strategy makes them more vulnerable to noise from motor boats and disturbances from humans.

Study uncovers neural mechanisms underlying foraging behavior in freely moving animals

Researchers used a new integrated wireless system to record brain activity in frontal areas of macaques' brains while they foraged. The results indicate that foraging strategies are based on a cortical model of reward dynamics.

Entanglements of humpback whales in fish farms rare – and naivety could be to blame

A recent study found humpback whale entanglements in BC fish farms are extremely rare, with only eight instances over 13 years. Young whales' curiosity may be a contributing factor, according to researchers.