Spatial cognitive ability is associated with transitory movement speed but not straightness during the early stages of exploration

Memories about the spatial environment, such as locations of foraging patches, are expected to affect how individuals move around landscape. However, differ in ability remember (spatial cognitive ability) and evidence is growing that these inter-individual differences influence a range fitness proxies. Yet empirical evaluations directly linking variation development structure movement paths lacking. We assessed performance young pheasants ( Phasianus colchicus ) on cognition task before releasing them into novel, rural landscape tracking their movements. quantified changes straightness speed transitory over one month. Birds with better performances initially made slower than poor performers but by end month, there was no difference speed. In general, birds increased path time, indicating improved efficiency independent speed, this not related task. suggest initial slow movements may facilitate more detailed information gathering indicates potential link between an individual's behaviour.