| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6256860 | Behavioural Brain Research | 2015 | 5 Pages |
â¢Older pigeons displayed impaired acquisition of spatial-feature reference memory.â¢Younger and older pigeons preferred feature to spatial cues.â¢Older pigeons may display a reduction in the asymmetry of visuospatial-attention.â¢Birds and mammals display similar age-related cognitive decline.
Age-related memory decline in mammals has been well documented. By contrast, very little is known about memory decline in birds as they age. In the current study we trained younger and older homing pigeons on a reference memory task in which a goal location could be encoded by spatial and feature cues. Consistent with a previous working memory study, the results revealed impaired acquisition of combined spatial-feature reference memory in older compared to younger pigeons. Following memory acquisition, we used cue-conflict probe trials to provide an initial assessment of possible age-related differences in cue preference. Both younger and older pigeons displayed a similarly modest preference for feature over spatial cues.
