Two-action task, testing imitative social learning in kea (Nestor notabilis)

Elisabeth Suwandschieff (Corresponding author), Amelia Wein, Remco Folkertsma, Thomas Bugnyar, Ludwig Huber, Raoul Schwing

Publications: Contribution to journalArticlePeer Reviewed

Abstract

Social learning is an adaptive way of dealing with the complexity of life as it reduces the risk of trial-and-error learning. Depending on the type of information acquired, and associations formed, several mechanisms within the larger taxonomy of social learning can be distinguished. Imitation is one such process within this larger taxonomy, it is considered cognitively demanding and is associated with high-fidelity response matching. The present study reproduced a 2002 study conducted by Heyes and Saggerson, which successfully illustrated motor imitation in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). In our study, eighteen kea (Nestor notabilis) that observed a trained demonstrator remove a stopper from a test box (1) took less time from hopping on the box to feeding (response duration) in session one and (2) were faster in making a vertical removal response on the stopper once they hopped on the box (removal latency) in session one than non-observing control group individuals. In contrast to the budgerigars (Heyes and Saggerson, Ani Behav. 64:851–859, 2002) the present study could not find evidence of motor imitation in kea. The results do illustrate, however, that there were strong social effects on exploration rates indicating motivational and attentional shifts. Furthermore, the results may suggest a propensity toward emulation in contrast to motor imitation or alternatively selectivity in the application of imitation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1395-1408
Number of pages14
JournalAnimal Cognition
Volume26
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2023

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 106051 Behavioural biology

Keywords

  • Emulation
  • Imitation
  • Kea
  • Nestor norabilis
  • Social learning
  • Two-action task

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