Details of Award
NERC Reference : NER/B/S/2002/00570
Mechanisms of decision-making in foraging hummingbirds.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor M Bateson, Newcastle University, Sch of Biology
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor S Healy, University of St Andrews, Biology
- Grant held at:
- Newcastle University, Sch of Biology
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Natural Resource Management
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Conservation Ecology
- Community Ecology
- Behavioural Ecology
- Abstract:
- Models of animal choice assume that foragers assign fixed values to alternative options. However, recent data from a range of species suggest that this assumption is incorrect, and animals actually evaluate alternatives relative to the range of options available. This is important because it implies that the prey species preferred by a predator in one environment may not predict straightforwardly the preferences of the same predator when it is faced with a different range of prey species. There are several possible mechanistic explanations for why context may affect choice. We propose to use foraging wild rufous hummingbirds (Selasphorus rufus) to discriminate amongst these competing explanations. Determining the mechanism involved will permit accurate predictions of how animals will behave in novel environments.
- NERC Reference:
- NER/B/S/2002/00570
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Small Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Small Grants
This grant award has a total value of £12,568
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - T&S | Total - Other Costs |
|---|---|
| £10,233 | £2,335 |
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