Food hoarding behaviour of the North Island robin
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Jamie Steer, M.Sc. Candidate
Kevin Burns, Ph.D. (Supervisor)
School of Biological Sciences Victoria University of Wellington
Robin participating in a feeding trial
Food storing behaviour is a well recognised characteristic of many bird species. However, among New Zealand song birds, it is principally limited to the New Zealand robin (Petroica australis). The robin appears to capitalise on its unique position by being a prolific food hoarder. Any prey that isn’t consumed immediately is often stored in small caches (hiding places used for storing provisions) in nearby tree holes and branch axils for later use; usually within the following few hours or days. This behaviour appears to constitute an integral part of the robins’ behavioural repertoire and is thus of considerable interest to researchers.
Several Northern Hemisphere birds have been extensively studied in attempts to understand the nature of food storing behaviour. Unfortunately recording the food hoarding behaviour of wild birds is typically difficult and time consuming. Many store food over 100 metres from the point of acquisition and are often shy and secretive. In contrast, the robin’s inquisitive and somewhat naive nature makes it an ideal candidate for behavioural observations in the wild. Robins will generally store food within 10 metres of an observer and are unperturbed by their presence.
Branch cache site
containing mealworms
In this study, a population of North Island robins (Petroica australis longipes) inhabiting Karori Sanctuary are observed on a monthly basis to decipher how food hoarding behaviour varies seasonally. In addition, caching behaviour is compared between age classes to highlight the likely effect of learned behaviour on storage propensity and proficiency. Wild birds are fed live mealworms and are subsequently monitored to delineate their use of the food source. Recent investigations have shown that male robins store a greater proportion of food than females year-round, but that a portion of those caches are stolen by thieving females. The results from this two-year investigation will constitute the basis of a Masters thesis due for completion in May 2006.
Papers and Presentations
Burns, K.C.; Steer, J. 2005. Dominance rank influences food hoarding in New Zealand robins (Petroica australis). Ibis. In press.
Related Links
Dr Kevin Burns’ Lab at Victoria University of Wellington.
Research on Survival, Breeding Success and Habitat Selection of North Island Robins Translocated to the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, by Delia Small.
General information about robins in the Sanctuary.
Profile - Jamie Steer
Jamie Steer.
Photo by Elizabeth Murray.
Jamie has a BSc (Biology) and BCA (Economic History) from Victoria University, and is currently working on a MSc (Ecology) at the same institution. He is presently employed in various capacities by MAF, the QEII National Trust, and on contract to Boffa Miskell Ltd, and is interested in behavioural ecology and environmental resource management.
Published 26 Jan 2006.
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