Pigeons distinguish human feeders

Researchers found that pigeons can tell apart two human feeders based on stable individual traits, even when the feeders swapped clothing. The study took place in a section of the ménagerie at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris, a public garden that houses various animals for research and education.

Experiment setup with lab coats

In the experiment, two researchers of similar age and skin tone wore differently colored lab coats. One was hostile, chasing the pigeons, while the other was neutral, allowing them to eat. The pigeons learned to differentiate between them in 6 to 9 training sessions, even after the researchers exchanged their lab coats.

Consistent results with different feeders

The study tested both a man and a woman as feeders in the first phase, and two women in the second. In both cases, the pigeons learned to distinguish the feeders in the same number of sessions. They continued to avoid the former hostile feeder even after the lab coats were swapped, showing they relied on other stable characteristics rather than clothing color.

Training duration and findings

The training sessions lasted half an hour daily over 3 to 4 days, totaling between 1 hour 30 minutes and 2 hours. The pigeons avoided the previously hostile feeder even when that person behaved neutrally during tests, indicating the behavior was based on past interactions rather than current actions.

Study limitations and conclusions

The researchers concluded that pigeons learn quickly from human interactions and use this knowledge to navigate urban environments. However, the study was limited to one park and two familiar feeders, so the results may not apply elsewhere. The long-term memory of the pigeons or their reactions to unknown people were not tested.