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From: drintoul@matt.ksu.ksu.edu (David A Rintoul)
Subject: Re: recognition
Message-ID: <1991May31.195256.4285@maverick.ksu.ksu.edu>
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References: <21828@brahms.udel.edu>
Date: Fri, 31 May 91 19:52:56 GMT
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In article <21828@brahms.udel.edu> jms@brahms.udel.edu (John Milbury-Steen) writes:
>I have been interested in the discussion about whether the birds "know
>who is feeding them."
>
>Are you sure they are not simply doing a mechanical Pavlovian response,
>such as "presence of this guy" means "food is on the way"?  It may be
>even more simple-minded, since they apparently will not recognize you
>without the right jacket: "sight of red jacket" indicates "food is on
>the way."   
>
>Of course we all like to be loved, and it is normal to project gratitude
>onto our bird friends, but a little positive conditioning could simulate
>affection, could it not?
>
>It is quite a leap from this statement:
>
>"when the birds see my red jacket, they wait for food"
>
>to this conclusion:
>
>"the birds know that I am feeding them"
>
>or even more radical conclusions:
>
>"the birds are grateful to me and love me."

Absolutely right.  A classic case occurs in colonies of nesting birds.
I don't remember the source, but several years back I heard about a
person doing research in a gull colony on the Farallon Islands.  He
always wore a specific stocking cap, and the gulls responded by mobbing
that stocking cap, no matter whose head it adorned.  When the same person
appeared without the stocking cap, he was not treated so viciously.
It is a real stretch to think that "your" birds recognize you as
the source of "their" food, and appreciate you for providing it.
They might recognize certain aspects of your face, if it is truly
memorable, but it is unlikely that you would be picked out of
a crowd by any of the birds that hang around your feeder....

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Dave Rintoul                      drintoul@matt.ksu.ksu.edu
Biology Division - KSU                        id2418 on TCN
Manhattan KS 66506-4901                 FAX: (913)-532-6653   
(913)-532-5832 or 6663                  
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Speed is more important when you are skating on thin ice...