Artículo de revista
Elements of episodic-like memory in free-living hummingbirds, energetic consequences
Fecha
2011Registro en:
Animal Behaviour, Volumen 81, Issue 6, 2018, Pages 1257-1262
00033472
10.1016/j.anbehav.2011.03.014
Autor
González Gómez, Paulina L.
Bozinovic, Francisco
Vásquez Salfate, Rodrigo
Institución
Resumen
Episodic memory has been described as the ability to recall personal past events, involving what, where and when an event has been experienced. Cognitive abilities like learning and memory are pivotal to the performance of many behavioural traits such as food procurement. Nectar, the primary food of hummingbirds, is dispersed in hundreds of flowers and varies in concentration and renewal rate. Therefore, a hummingbird that can remember elements of episodic-like memory such as what, where and when the nectar becomes available will have a higher energy rate of intake when compared to random foraging. We conducted a field experiment with green-backed firecrown hummingbirds, Sephanoides sephaniodes. We assessed the ability to recall the location, nectar quality and renewal rate of the most rewarding flowers among several less rewarding flowers with identical visual cues. Hummingbirds were able to remember the most profitable nectar sources and flower position and adjust their visits to nec