FOOD STORING DOES NOT AFFECT HIPPOCAMPAL VOLUME IN EXPERIENCED ADULT WILLOW TITS

Food-storing bird species have a larger hippocampal region than closel y related non-storing species, and the avian hippocampal region appear s to be involved in spatial memory for the locations of stored food. I n the present study, willow tits (Parus montanus) that were at least 4 years old, and had previously stored food, were trained to store and retrieve seeds in an aviary. After training, control birds were depriv ed of any opportunities to store seeds, while experimental birds store d 17 seeds and recovered 5 seeds, on average, each day. After 26 days of this treatment there was no detectable difference between the two t reatment groups in volume, neuron density, or total neuron number of t he hippocampal region. This is in contrast to an earlier study in whic h a similar degree of food-storing experience caused enlargement of th e hippocampal region in young birds with no previous food storing expe rience.