Foraging behavior, learning, and exploration by captive ovenbirds (Aves: Parulidae)

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Abstract
Captive ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapillus) were individually exposed in a field arena to a patchy food supply. In experiment 1, involving a single patch, birds quickly concentrated their foraging in the patch. Equal amounts of food were taken at different prey densities and amount of search path per visit did not vary. However, number of visits to the patch and amount of search path per prey found decreased as patch density increased. Conversely, speed of search increased with patch density. Exploratory search (outside the patch) was reduced at higher prey densities suggesting that, with low depletion and high renewal rates, a single profitable feeding site may be sufficient. When tested a day later, birds went directly to the old patch location, now devoid of food, and searched it thoroughly. Learning was reflected in both the distribution and tortuosity of search paths. In experiment 2, involving two successively presented patches, birds rapidly concentrated their search effort in the new patch location and ignored the old location after an initial visit. Experiment 3, involving two simultaneously presented patches, demonstrated that birds can learn at least two patch locations and that search effort exerted in these locations after prey are removed may relate to previous profitabilities.