Researchers at Lammi Biological Station develop video game to teach great tits hunting skills

At the Lammi Biological Station, researchers have created an innovative video game method to teach great tits how to hunt imaginary butterflies displayed on a screen. This research is particularly important because the species’ ability to see UV reflections and movement can enhance our understanding of predator-prey relationships and how animals adapt to environmental changes.

Professor Johanna Mappes has been studying great tits for two decades and is continually amazed by their learning capabilities and memory. As interest in the Lammi station’s research grows on an international scale, a research group from the Netherlands is expected to visit next year.

The video game simulates various hunting tasks for these birds, allowing them to learn how to peck at images on the monitor. This method is crucial for understanding how moving prey signals operate and how birds respond to them. Previously, analyzing movement in a controlled setting posed challenges, but this new gaming approach addresses many unresolved questions. With rapid climate changes and a global decline in insect populations, deeper insights into animal behavior are imperative.

At the Lammi facility, a calm environment is maintained to ensure optimal performance; stressed birds do not behave naturally in experiments. Mappes emphasizes the importance of understanding how animals perceive their surroundings, noting that great tits are quite adaptable. Whether exhibiting bravery or shyness, some birds even become overly engaged with the game.

The research initiative also sheds light on the bird’s memory, showing parallels to human memory in retaining personal experiences. As the day wraps up, each bird returns to its home box after completing its training, preparing for release into the wild within a week, typically staying at feeding sites afterward. International collaborations, including past experiments examining how color affects bird safety around wind turbines, continue to enhance the research’s relevance globally.