Birds create barcode-like memories to locate stored food, scientists find

Mechanism unpicked that allows black-capped chickadees to stash and relocate huge quantities of foodWhile adults might be spending the weekend trying to remember where they have hidden a hoard of Easter eggs, the black-capped chickadee has no trouble recalling where its treats are stashed. Now researchers have discovered why: the diminutive birds create a barcode-like memory each time they stash food.Black-capped chickadees are known for tucking food away during the warmer months – with some estimates suggesting a single bird can hideup to 500,000 food itemsa year. But more remarkable still is their reliability in finding the morsels again.Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Animal behaviour Birds Animals Environment Wildlife World news Science Source Type: news