Amber-Leigh Woolf15:18, Feb 12
2020
North Island robins tested at
Zealandia remembered a trick for two years.
Scientists have discovered the
North Island robin (toutouwai) has a memory of two years and hope this can aid
its survival.
In a test at Zealandia in
Wellington, the toutouwai were able to peck open a lid to retrieve concealed
food after being taught the trick years prior.
Lecturer in behavioural ecology
Rachel Shaw said the two-year memory span, and the birds' accuracy, was
surprising.
"Once they've got it,
they've really got it."
The impressive result means robin
might be able to be taught new strategies to avoid predators, Shaw said.
"In a population like that
[in Zealandia] where individuals are always dispersing across the fence, it
could be that we could train individuals about threats in Wellington, like
cats," she said.
North Island robin (toutouwai)
have been found to be able to retain the memory of a trick for two years.
"It's a cool positive that
might yield some great conservation applications in the future."
In 2015 and 2016, Shaw
successfully trained all the 32 toutouwai residents of Zealandia to open a
swivel lid with their beak to retrieve a worm from a hidden compartment.
Of the 32 experienced toutouwai,
30 birds spontaneously solved the task, opening the lids on their first
attempt. None of the untrained birds solved the task.
Shaw said the birds were taught
using a behavioural shaping procedure.
The impressive result means North
Island robin may be able to be taught to avoid cats.
"We progressively close the
lid to the point that they understand that when it's fully closed they know
there's food in there, and they can open it."
The result did not arise due to
the birds being more likely to interact with the apparatus, the Biology
Letters journal article on the research said.
"The experienced birds'
pecking behaviour was spontaneous and targeted.
