Blue tits and great tits are small birds that are commonly found in Europe and parts of Asia. They are known for their adaptability and can thrive in various habitats such as woodlands, gardens, and parks. A recent study has revealed that these birds possess a surprising level of episodic memory, which helps them in finding food.
Episodic memory, often referred to as simply “memory,” is the ability to recall past events and experiences. Traditionally, this ability was thought to be unique to humans, but research is challenging this notion. To study the cognitive ability of these birds in the wild, researchers used passive integrative transponder (PIT) tags on 94 wild tits. These tags are small devices that contain a microchip with a unique identification code used for tracking animals.
The study focused on two tasks to assess the birds’ memory capabilities. The first task tested the what-where-when memory, which required the birds to remember the content, location, and timing of events related to finding food. The birds had to associate specific feeders with different food types and temporal availability. The second task examined incidental encoding, which tested the birds’ ability to remember spatial and visual details while focusing on something else.
Both blue tits and great tits showed remarkable memory skills in the what-where-when memory test. They were able to recall the type of food, feeder locations, and the time passed since their last visit. This integration of different types of information is a key aspect of episodic-like memory. In the incidental encoding task, the birds also displayed impressive memory capabilities, especially the juveniles who could remember visual information as well.
The researchers were surprised by the birds’ performance in the memory tasks, especially in a natural environment where the birds were free to fly away. This study challenges previous assumptions about the memory capacity of these bird species and suggests that they have a more flexible memory system than previously believed.
The findings from this study not only shed light on the cognitive abilities of blue tits and great tits but also prompt a reevaluation of the evolution of memory in birds. The researchers are now focused on exploring whether birds with better memory have enhanced reproductive success, which could indicate that the memory system evolved as an adaptation to environmental challenges.
Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the memory capabilities of these small bird species and opens up new questions about the prevalence of episodic-like memory in the animal kingdom. The researchers’ findings have broader implications for understanding the cognitive abilities of birds and the evolutionary significance of memory systems in different species.
