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STUDENTS: Alexandria DeWolfe
DESCRIPTION: My study evaluates the role of the Optimal Foraging Theory and Darwin’s theories of natural selection and evolution in Pennsylvania wintering bird foraging behavior. The study assesses the relationship between the evolved morphological characteristic of beak size and net energy obtainment.
FACULTY ADVISOR: Caporaletti
VIDEO PRESENTATION: Link
This was very informative on every level, and very well written. It was also very ambitious in requiring observation of time at the feeder. I wonder if the choice of type of large seed would have made any difference in attracting larger birds? Peanuts, for example, would not require effort in breaking up the shells and might have attracted larger birds. Given such a choice, would the larger birds still have eaten the other smaller seeds? . Also, does time at the feeder have to do with a certain defensiveness eating at a “mass” feeder? Perhaps the crows feel safer and eat more. But, yes, you would need a larger number of large beaked birds, like blue jays, to test the beak size hypothesis. . A lab would certainly let you zero in on single cause and effect phenomena, but an outdoor experiment certainly opens up new aspects which, while unexpected, might prove to be important also. The type of feeder might have had some influence on the crows not chosing the larger seeds. The birds at my wooden feeder break the sunflower seeds open by banging them on the feeder!. The timing observations were a very interesting addition to the data, because there are many elements to consider if energy consumption vs. energy use are at issue. You’ve done well presenting research on a very rich and complex topic topic, and providing the background for it as well. I hope you have a chance to continue with it.
Very interesting! Not every experiment is successful, but you clearly explained some of the reasons why yours did not necessarily turn out how you expected.