Information transfer in a socially roosting weaver bird ( Quelea quelea; Ploceinae): An experimental study

Abstract

The habit exhibited by some wild gregarious birds of nesting or roosting together has been suggested as assisting individuals in the location of food resources. A laboratory experiment is described which shows that birds that are naive as to the location of food or water can learn the whereasboutas of a resource they required when in the presence of knowledgeable birds. A further experiments shows that a flock can exploit the more profitable of two food sources, of which only some individuals have experience. It is suggested that these results may be explained in part by the demonstration that on most occasions naive birds tend to follow knowledgeable ones, but that other behavioural cues may also be involved. The importance of synchronous flock behaviour is also discussed.