Are There Any Animals Learning Things Differently from Us Humans? A Closer Look at the Black-Capped Chickadee
If you walk through the woods in Maine during the winter, there's a good chance you will experience the pleasure of seeing this lively little guy, the black-capped chickadee. It turns out that he has a mental ability that exceeds that of people. These birds have a surprising ability to remember and retrieve information which allows them to survive winter temperatures even colder than where humans can thrive.
Behavior and Adaptations of Black-Capped Chickadees
These birds, measuring only 4-6 inches long and weighing about 11-12 grams (0.4 ounces), live in parts of Canada and Alaska, regions where winters are much harsher. Winters in Maine, although chilly, do not challenge these birds as much as the northern regions.
In the winter, their survival depends on their ability to find sufficient food. When awake, their body temperature reaches an impressive 107 degrees Fahrenheit. To maintain this temperature, they must consume their body weight in food daily. This is a monumental task when the insects they rely on are dormant and hidden, and much of the plant life has been buried under snow. A day without food could be fatal for the chickadee.
Memory Tactics for Winter Survival
The logical action for a chickadee is to store food before winter. But if they store it all in one place, another bird or animal might find and take it. Therefore, they store small portions of food in numerous locations. This could involve hiding a pine nut in a tree's hole, an insect under moss, or a spider on a branch. To survive, they must remember thousands of these locations, which most humans could not do.
Neurological Basis for Advanced Memory in Chickadees
This remarkable ability likely stems from their hippocampus, a neural structure that expands in size during the winter. Birds like the Alaskan chickadees, which experience severe winters, have a larger hippocampus than their counterparts living in Colorado. Many other bird species that cache food have a larger hippocampus compared to those that don't.
The following diagram illustrates a typical avian brain, with the letter 'Hp' marking the hippocampus location. A deeper dive into this fascinating topic can be found in the following sources:
An in-depth study on avian hippocampus and memory A brief introduction to the black-capped chickadeeEncountering Black-Capped Chickadees in Maine
Even if you're not a birder, if you happen to be in Maine during the winter, hiking in the woods is a great way to discover these fascinating animals. Dress warm as the winters can be cold. I'm sure you'll find the black-capped chickadee as appealing as I do.