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Magpies
Aug 19, 2014 1:56:29 GMT -7
Post by Jane on Aug 19, 2014 1:56:29 GMT -7
I read an article about a study into the behaviour of Magpies and the long held idea that they like stealing shiny objects. Pychologists at Exeter University's Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour carried out experiments in which they placed various small shiny and non shiny objects close to piles of nuts. The magpies either ignored or avoided both types of item, seemed wary and fed less when they were present. All the objects prompted responses indicating neophobia - fear of new things.
Jane
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Magpies
Aug 19, 2014 8:53:59 GMT -7
Post by Haz on Aug 19, 2014 8:53:59 GMT -7
We all understand the fear of new things!
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Magpies
Aug 22, 2014 15:40:10 GMT -7
Post by Adele on Aug 22, 2014 15:40:10 GMT -7
So maybe the shiny objects are not something "new" to them. Maybe it is a learned item to be favored.
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Magpies
Aug 23, 2014 9:38:02 GMT -7
Post by Adele on Aug 23, 2014 9:38:02 GMT -7
I missed the point of this post yesterday. I read it as a scientific study, but that is quite amusing that the tests didn't work when the birds were just afraid of all the objects!
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