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Master's Thesis_Brittany Sizemore.pdf (572.2 KB)

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Time-of-Day Associative Learning to Spatial or Feature Information in Homing Pigeons (Columba livia)

Sizemore, Brittany A
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1447777465

Abstract Details

2015, Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, Psychology/Experimental.
The current study examined time-of-day associative learning to either spatial or feature information in homing pigeons in an open-field, laboratory setting. Homing pigeons are well known for their navigational abilities and typically have been shown to rely more heavily on spatial rather than non-spatial cues in identifying a goal. However, during goal localization homing pigeons have also been known to use non-spatial, feature information. Past work has demonstrated that homing pigeons are capable of using time-of-day information to guide their goal-seeking behavior in operant tasks and open-field environments. Additionally, avian time-of-day associative learning is thought to be influenced by two potential timing mechanisms, a circadian-based clock or an interval timer. While previous research has investigated avian time-of-day associative learning and cue utilization during goal localization, the current study aimed to blend these two research branches. Homing pigeons were divided into two groups, space or feature, and were trained to locate two time-of-day dependent food reward sites in open-field environments. We hypothesized that homing pigeons would develop a stronger or better time-of-day association with spatial information than feature information and that they would consult a circadian based clock rather than an interval timer during a temporal discrimination of reward availability. Homing pigeons that were able to use spatial information were more likely to find the correct goal location in comparison to homing pigeons that were only able to use feature or color information. Although the data are too few to draw any conclusion, the majority of homing pigeons in both groups seemed to use interval timers instead of circadian clocks during the task.
Verner Bingman, Dr. (Advisor)
Michael Geusz, Dr. (Committee Member)
Richard Anderson, Dr. (Committee Member)
75 p.
Animals; Behavioral Psychology; Behavioral Sciences; Experimental Psychology; Psychology
Homing Pigeons; Time-Place Associations; Avian Learning and Memory; Open-Field Environments; Spatial Cues; Feature Cues

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Sizemore, B. A. (2015). Time-of-Day Associative Learning to Spatial or Feature Information in Homing Pigeons (Columba livia) [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1447777465

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Sizemore, Brittany. Time-of-Day Associative Learning to Spatial or Feature Information in Homing Pigeons (Columba livia). 2015. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1447777465.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Sizemore, Brittany. "Time-of-Day Associative Learning to Spatial or Feature Information in Homing Pigeons (Columba livia)." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1447777465

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1447777465
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This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.