. If you had a super hungry partner and the restaurant allowed you in, you’d rather stay there than leave your mate and go to another place. The zoologists in Current Biology reported that seventeen great pairs of tits from the Oxfordshire woods found it more important to stay close to each other than eating food for boxes. The authors reported that their findings demonstrate how crucial relationships can be in any animal kingdom. Being together is more important than any other thing for great tits. Image: audubon.org. DPhil student Josh Firth studied 17 great tits with his colleagues. All of them wore electronic anklets which gave off a signal that unlocked sunflower seed feeders. The signals could be set to allow both their mates access the feeder. In other cases, the signal would send a message that only one of the males could enter the feeder. Three months of research by great tits revealed that birds prefer to be separated from their partners. They flew to feeders they couldn’t open, even if the mate was there. The birds waited outside while the researchers analyzed the data. The birds that couldn’t get in the feeders were four times more likely to be mismatched than those that could. Simply put, they preferred flying together even though one bird could not get into the feeder. Mr. Firth stated that they were surprised at the choice of the pair to remain together rather than travel to get food. The great tits stayed with their partners and enjoyed spending more time at the feeder than they could access by themselves. This is similar to what happens with human beings in new relationships. Mr. Firth said that the birds chose to remain with their partners and would often spend time at the feeder with the mate they shared. This was important because it ensured their bonds remained strong, as well as ensuring their genetic heritage. Although the researchers focused on great tits’ behaviour, they are confident that many wild birds behave similarly to them. The great lovebirds did not die, even though they were able to overcome hunger. Unlucky birds soon discovered that feeders don’t lock after just a few seconds. They eat their food and then fly away. The authors conclude in their Current Biology article: “Wildgreat tits structure their foraging activity around the mated partner, and prioritize accessing food over other options.” Current Biology. November 2015. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2015.09.075. RSPB Video – The great tit. 2015.09.075. This striking green-and-yellow bird has a glossy black head and white cheeks. It also sings a distinct two-syllable song.
