Temperature effects on avian learning.

Our research aimed to understand how prenatal experiences influence development, behaviour, and long-term success in birds. Specifically, this project investigated how incubation temperature shapes metabolic phenotype (heart rate) in superb fairy-wrens, a small Australian songbird, and how these early-life conditions affected postnatal development, learning, behaviours, and survival.

 Our findings revealed that specific part of the mother’s incubation call helps keep the embryos’ attention, enhancing learning before hatching. As the birds age, their songs become more structured and personality traits play a major role in shaping song features. We also found that early incubation conditions interact with a bird’s sex to influence singing behaviours. We are continuing to monitor the birds to see how these differences in learning and behaviour influence survival and reproductive outcomes. 

Overall, this research shows that learning and development are shaped by a complex interplay of prenatal environment and behaviour, and that these effects can extend beyond the individual to influence the cultural and evolutionary trajectory of the species.