Comparative research on avian foraging behavior: its motor control and morphological aspects

Abstract

Animal foraging behaviour has evolved in tight association with diverse forms of body structures species-specifically, because morphology shapes and affects perception, information processing, and subsequent motor control. Primates including humans possess skillful sensorimotor control such as tool-using, utilizing their arm-hand morphology. Birds also are capable of dexterous visually-guided behaviors despite the largely different body structures. This rises a question: what and how the body morphology constraints/facilitates behaviors in birds? The present article reviews research advance of sensorimotor control in birds. Specifically, it would be discussed about pecking, the analogous behavior to reaching and grasping in primates and tool-using. The author would suggest a research direction with the morpho-functional and embodiment views for comparative research on sensorimotor mechanisms underlying the dexterous foraging skills.