Behavioral Biology

Classical models of collective behavior fail to explain the mechanisms driving desert locust swarms more

Fish used visual differences between divers to recognize the person who rewarded them more

Great apes, like humans, remember objects better when introduced by a social agent, but develop this skill only in adulthood more

Human influence has led to loss of chimpanzee culture and calls for conservation strategies to include preserving cultural distinctiveness more

Male ruffs can remove excess sex hormones from their blood more

3D-printed snail shells provide insights into the brood care of cichlids more

Scientists use ultra-light sensors connected like cell phones to study how bats migrate over Europe more

After migrating to their wintering grounds, the animals move as little as possible to conserve energy more

Blue-throated macaws have an enormous ability to imitate more

After immigrating to a new place, birds rapidly learn useful tricks from local experts more

Many publications by Max Planck scientists in 2022 were of great social relevance or met with a great media response. We have selected 12 articles to present you with an overview of some noteworthy research of the year more

Fish are his passion. Alex Jordan wants to know why they do what they do. An interview with the behavioural biologist more

The primatologist Roman Wittig explains in this interview, why he prefers to speak in terms of "spatial” rather than “social” distancing, and how virtual (online) meetings can replace real meetings to a certain extent. more

Even chimpanzees and six-year-old infants want to punish antisocial behaviour more

Blackbirds that spend the winter in the south are more likely to survive the cold season than their conspecifics in central Europe more

Researchers show that vocalizing in chimpanzees is influenced by social cognitive processes more

Bystanders monitor and intervene into grooming interactions of their group members if these threaten their own status or social relationships more

When female flies smell their favorite food, they become more receptive to courting males more

The tiny mammals reduce the size of their organs in the winter and can even decrease and rebuild bones more

The Icarus on-board computer, the first component of the global animal observatory system, has gone into space more

Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology based at the research station outpost for parrot comparative cognition in the Loro Parque in Tenerife, Spain, have shown that parrots exhibit a high level of social intelligence and cooperativeness. They readily help others, even when there is no immediate opportunity for reciprocation. Moreover, they reciprocate received favours and do not appear jealous, if conspecifics obtain a better reward than themselves. more

Dogs and humans have been living together for 15,000 years – a long time to get used to each other.  Behavioural biologists at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig are investigating how well the animals have adapted to humans. They discovered that dogs are frequently better at understanding human gestures than other animal species. For example, dogs understand referential gestures, such as pointing, and realise they can get away with doing something forbidden when their owners just happen to be looking elsewhere. more

Bonobos - chimpanzees' gentle cousins more