Project description
How environmental predictability influences birds’ cognition
Environmental predictability involves consistent cues linked to responses, while cognitive abilities include flexibility, inhibitory control, and attention. The hypothesis suggests that birds’ early understanding of predictability may influence their cognition and temperament. The ERC-funded FLAP project will explore how environmental predictability and early-life conditions affect avian cognition through three key areas: ontogeny, mechanism, and function. Focusing on domestic chickens and various hornbills, it will study individual-environment interactions and social dynamics. The project aims to understand how different life strategies affect responses to environmental change while advancing animal welfare and conservation efforts. Overall, it seeks to provide valuable insights into avian cognition and adaptability.
Objective
The FLAP project explores the intricate relationship between environmental predictability, early-life conditions, and avian cognition. Environmental predictability refers to the consistency of environmental cues linked to responses, while cognitive abilities include flexibility, inhibitory control, and attentional focus. We hypothesise that birds’ early understanding of predictability can have lasting effects on their cognition and temperament. FLAP examines this question across ontogeny (how cognition is shaped by environmental factors in individual development), mechanism (how predictability affects cognition and what changes can be observed), and function (how cognition adaptations enhance fitness). We designed two research streams: one focusing on individual interactions with the environment (WP1 and WP2) and the other on the role of social dynamics (WP3 and WP4). Our models—domestic chickens, Northern African ground hornbills, and both Rhinoceros and Helmeted hornbills—enable an unprecedented comparative study across these diverse avian species, marking the first time such an approach has been undertaken. By combining insights from precocial chickens and altricial hornbills with unique breeding styles, we can understand how different life history strategies influence an individual's ability to respond to environmental (un)predictability. FLAP also provides insights for welfare and conservation combining foundational knowledge with applicative perspectives: although our models occupy opposite ends of the conservation and management spectrum, they similarly require intervention to address human-induced environmental changes. Overall, FLAP creates a powerful synergy poised to yield groundbreaking findings in both fundamental science and applied animal welfare, generating crucial insights for avian cognition and adaptability in unpredictable environments.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-SYG - HORIZON ERC Synergy Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-SyG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
35122 PADOVA
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.