Examining the Predictors of Technical and Consumer Innovation in Black-Capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus)

Abstract

Behavioural innovation, the use of new behaviours or modification of existing ones in novel contexts, has been suggested to aid animals in meeting the demands of new or changing environments. Many researchers have studied intra-specific variation in the propensity for technical innovation (i.e. use of new or modified motor actions) using problem-solving tasks, but have found mixed results concerning the influence of individual and ecological variables. Relatively few researchers have investigated the predictors of consumer innovation (i.e. consumption of novel food). The aim of the work presented within this thesis is to ascertain which characteristics explain intra-specific variation in the propensity for technical and consumer innovation in black-capped chickadees. In chapter 2 I analyze dominance rank, exploratory tendency, and habitat urbanization as predictors of problem-solving performance and persistence. I found, for one of the tasks presented to the birds, that dominants outperform subordinates, particularly among rural individuals. This goes against predictions from the necessity drives innovation hypothesis, but may be explained by differences in experience, as adults were found to outperform juveniles in a follow-up analysis. There was also evidence for a positive relationship between exploratory tendency and lever-pulling performance. The lack of consistency in performance across tasks likely arose from differences in task characteristics. In chapter 3 I analyze the predictors of food neophobia and willingness to consume novel food using the same variables as before, as well as baseline levels of corticosterone. I found that birds responded differently to each novel food type and individuals became less neophobic and more willing to consume novel food items as the study progressed through autumn. Additionally, I found a negative relationship between baseline corticosterone levels and food neophobia, and a positive relationship between corticosterone levels and the propensity for consumer innovation. This finding is in line with the knowledge of higher baseline corticosterone driving foraging behaviour. Overall this work provides further insights into the characteristics that may drive innovation and allow animals to meet novel challenges or take advantage of novel opportunities in their environment.