INFORMED BIRDS

Changing their behaviour is one of the fastest ways animals can adapt, but what limits this ability? 

Our research focuses on hihi (Notiomystis cincta), a songbird endemic to New Zealand found only in highly protected sites (see here for more).  Translocation (movement of individuals to seed new populations) has been used over the last 30 years to establish new populations - but it remains unclear why this tool is sometimes more successful than others.  

We are investigating if the ways which animals acquire and use information influences their abilities to adapt to new locations.  Do early-life experiences shape how juveniles learn about their environment? Can qualities of social relationships affect their survival? How does individual variation shape translocation success?

Our goal is to determine the optimal mix of social characteristics that gives founder populations the best chance at establishment and growth.

Team: Caitlin Andrews (University of Cambridge, UK), Victoria Franks (Royal Holloway University of London, UK), John Ewen & Patricia Brekke (Institute of Zoology, London, UK), Kristal Cain (University of Auckland, NZ)

Recent publications:

Andrews, CE, Ewen, JG, & Thorogood, R (in press). Enhancing dietary specialization metrics in observational studies of wild animal populations. Ecosphere.

Franks, VR, Ewen, JG, McCready, M, Rowcliffe, JM, Smith, D, & Thorogood, R (in press). Analysing age structure, residency and relatedness uncovers social network structure in aggregations of young birds. Animal Behaviour

Franks, VR, Andrews, CE, Ewen, JG, McCready, M, Parker, KA, & Thorogood, R (in press). Changes in social groups across reintroductions and effects on post-release survival. Animal Conservation. DOI

Franks, VR, & Thorogood, R (2017). Older and wiser? Age differences in foraging and learning by an endangered passerine. Behavioural processes. DOI