PIGEONS USE OF LANDMARKS FOR SPATIAL SEARCH IN A LABORATORY ARENA ANDIN DIGITIZED IMAGES OF THE ARENA

Pigeons were trained in a touch-screen task and in an open-held task t o search for a hidden goal using an array of landmarks to guide their search behavior. The touch-screen task presented digitized images of t he open field landmarks and environment. Upon completion of training i n each task, tests involving the alteration, shifting, or removal of l andmarks were conducted to determine which landmark(s) and stimulus fe ature(s) controlled search behavior. In both tasks, proximity to the g oal was an important determinant of landmark control. The overall patt erns of landmark control showed both similarities and differences in t he two tasks. No evidence was obtained that learning about the arrange ment of landmarks and goal transferred across the two tasks. (C) 1997 Academic Press.