Presentation Details
| Who Are the Smart Birds? Biased Choice of Study Species in Avian Cognition Research. Kelsey McCune. Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA |
Abstract
To understand the evolution and function of cognition requires testing many species for a variety of cognitive traits. Statements in scientific and popular literature commonly assert that corvids and parrots are the most cognitively advanced. But, it is unclear whether there is sufficient data from a diversity of taxa to support this claim. I reviewed published experimental research from the last 25 years to evaluate which avian species have been tested for any cognitive trait and whether corvids and parrots are focal species more often than expected. Current research encompasses less than 20% of avian families and less than 1% of species. A large proportion of studies focused on corvids and parrots, or traditional lab subjects such as pigeons. Nonetheless, Paridae were the 3rd, and hummingbirds the 6th, most commonly studied families. While we now have evidence that birds are capable of several complex cognitive abilities, this small and biased sample of focal species precludes conclusions about the cognitive superiority of any species, the evolutionary extent of avian cognition, or the physiological, ecological and geographic characteristics favoring certain cognitive traits.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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