BAYESIAN-ANALYSIS OF FORAGING BY PIGEONS (COLUMBA-LIVIA)

In this article, the authors combine models of timing and Bayesian rev ision of information concerning patch quality to predict foraging beha vior. Pigeons earned food by pecking on 2 keys (patches) in an experim ental chamber. Food was primed for only 1 of the patches on each trial . There was a constant probability of finding food in a primed patch, but it accumulated only while the animals searched there. The optimal strategy was to choose the better patch first and remain for a fixed d uration, thereafter alternating evenly between the patches. Pigeons we re nonoptimal in 3 ways: (a) they departed too early, (b) their depart ure times were variable, and (c) they were biased in their choices aft er initial departure. The authors review various explanations of these data.