Influence of capturing a prey on subsequent search in the ovenbird (Aves: Parulidae)

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Abstract
Ovenbirds responded to capture of a prey with area-restricted searching regardless of the prey distribution they experienced previously. However, in clustered distributions area-restricted searching occurred immediately, while in even distributions it was delayed. These responses were more pronounced when birds could learn patch or prey locations. Area-restricted searching also occurred before finding prey if birds had learned a patch location previously. Area-restricted searching was due to a decrease in move length and an increase in absolute magnitude of turn rather than a change in the pattern of directions of turns. Speed of search also decreased in synchrony with these changes in search path. Since birds foraged differently in clustered than in even distributions, without having an opportunity to learn specific patch or prey locations, they may have learned patchiness and evenness of prey distributions.