Experiments on Olfactory Detection of Food Caches by Black-Billed Magpies

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Abstract
Although the importance of olfaction in birds is being increasingly recognized, its role in species with very small olfactory bulbs, such as corvids, is largely unknown. In field experiments designed to examine whether black-billed magpies (P. pica) use olfaction to locate hidden food, magpies uncovered significantly more caches of suet and raisins scented with cod liver oil than control caches. In recoverying caches, magpies use a multicue system that may involve both memory and visual or olfactory cues. Olfactory cues may be particularly important in finding and taking food hidden by other individuals.