Spatial and feature-based memory representation in free-flying homing pigeons |
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Authors: | Debra L Maury Roseanne J Mauch Ashley N Hammer Verner P Bingman |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Psychology and J.P. Scott Center for Neuroscience, Mind and Behavior, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43402, USA; |
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Abstract: | The memory-based recognition of a goal is a capacity well demonstrated in birds, and understanding this ability often involves
determining the relative importance of spatial and feature information in representing the properties of a goal. However,
surprisingly little avian research has examined goal recognition in a field setting. Here, we demonstrate that homing pigeons
can be successfully trained outdoors to fly to and land on a goal platform located in an array of other platforms at a distance
on the order of 100 m. They can do so under conditions when the properties of the goal are stable in time as well as when
the properties of the goal periodically change; the latter condition indicating that homing pigeons can rapidly adapt their
memory representations to take into account changing environmental conditions. When probed for preferential use of either
spatial (location) or feature-based (color) information, the pigeons demonstrated an indifferent capacity to use both independent
of task demands. The homing pigeon memory systems that support goal recognition appear to be opportunistic with respect to
the information exploited, using spatial and feature information equally to guide their behavior. Therefore, and despite strong
natural and artificial selection for navigational ability, spatial information is no more important than feature cues in representing
a goal location for homing pigeons flying outdoors. |
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