Great Tits Learn Odors and Colors Equally Well, and Show No Predisposition for Herbivore-Induced Plant Volatiles

Ability to efficiently localize productive foraging habitat is crucial for nesting success of insectivorous birds. Some bird species can use olfaction identify caterpillar-infested trees by detection herbivore induced plant volatiles (HIPVs), but these cues probably need be learned. So far, we know very little about the process olfactory learning in birds, whether have a predisposition detecting and HIPVs, due high ecological significance odors, how integrated with vision making decisions. In standardized setup, tested 35 wild-caught great tits ( Parus major ) show any preference widely abundant HIPVs compared neutral (non-induced) fast they learn associate olfactory, visual multimodal food, preferences speed were influenced sex or (urban rural). We also birds switch new cue same modality. Great showed no initial learned all at similar pace, except methyl salicylate (MeSA), which more slowly. found differences speeds between visual, cues, second offered faster than first one. Bird had effect on preference, urban tended conclude that utilize efficiency foraging, don‘t special toward HIPVs. These results confirm are flexible foragers good abilities.