Abstract
Self-recognition is a trait presumed to be associated with high levels of cognition and something previously considered to be exclusive to humans and possibly apes. The most common test of self-recognition is the mark/mirror test of whether an animal can understand that it sees its own reflection in a mirror. The usual design is that an animal is marked with a colour spot somewhere on the body where the spot can only be seen by the animal by using a mirror. Very few species have passed this test, and among birds, only magpies have been affirmatively demonstrated to pass it. In this study, we tested great tits (Parus major), small passerines, that are known for their innovative foraging skills and good problem-solving abilities, in the mirror self-recognition test. We found no indication that they have any ability of this kind and believe that they are unlikely to be capable of this type of self-recognition.
Highlights
Self-awareness, or the ability to recognize oneself as being separate from other individuals and the environment, is an advanced cognitive ability, previously considered as unique for humans and maybe some apes (Reader and Laland 2002; Dunbar and Schultz 2007)
None of our results indicate that great tits have any ability to recognize themselves in a mirror
If the birds had been capable of mirror self-recognition (MSR), we would have seen an increase in markdirected behaviour in the ‘‘mark/mirror’’ condition, but there were no such tendencies whatsoever
Summary
Self-awareness, or the ability to recognize oneself as being separate from other individuals and the environment, is an advanced cognitive ability, previously considered as unique for humans and maybe some apes (Reader and Laland 2002; Dunbar and Schultz 2007). The most common way of investigating whether an animal is self-aware is to test whether it is being capable of mirror self-recognition (MSR). This is usually performed with the mark/mirror test (Gallup 1970). Humans that have reached a certain age understand mirrors directly (Amsterdam 1972; Broesch et al 2011), so before the test the animal must first become accustomed to seeing itself in a mirror (Gallup 1970; Plotnik et al 2006; Uchino and Watanabe 2014). Even species that we consider to be cognitively advanced such as the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) may behave as if the reflection is another individual up to 5 days after the introduction of a mirror (Gallup 1998). A positive response will be an increase in self-directed (or mark-directed) behaviour, for example attempts to remove or scratch the mark (Gallup 1970; Plotnik et al 2006)
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