Data and code from: Extended and physical phenotypes as mediators of relational concepts between wild birds
Data files
Jun 29, 2026 version files 10.03 KB
-
README.md
2.18 KB
-
Symbol_experiment_Models_31_12_25.R
1.09 KB
-
Symbol_experiment_RH_31_12_25.csv
6.76 KB
Abstract
Only primates have long been considered as capable of conceptualization, but recent studies show that it occurs in many animals. Conceptualization enables categorizing instances into broad classes based on their common physical features or relations (e.g., smaller/bigger, below/above) between those that are independent of perceptual similarity. Until recently, conceptualization in animals has only been studied in laboratory settings in intraspecific context, so it remains unknown whether conceptualization can occur in nature between coexisting species in the context of interspecific social information use. Here, we use a field experiment to test whether pied flycatchers can form relational concepts when using experimentally manipulated information on the extended phenotype of great tits. We test whether flycatchers use the relative size difference of abstract symbols on tit nests and manipulated tit clutch size as cues in their own nest-site choice. Pied flycatcher information use is complex, depending particularly on flycatcher’s own body size as well as the physical and extended phenotypes of the great tit, suggesting that transfer of relational concepts can occur between coexisting species in the wild. Ability to conceptualize in decision-making facilitates rapid adaptation to novel environments and may occur in a broader set of species and circumstances than currently understood.
Metadata 1.
Hämäläinen, R., Kivelä S. M. and Forsman, J.T. (2023). Extended and physical phenotypes as mediators of relational concepts between wild birds.
We used a field experiment to test whether pied flycatchers can form relational concepts when using experimentally manipulated information on the extended phenotype of great tits. We test whether flycatchers use the relative size difference of abstract symbols on tit nests and manipulated tit clutch size as cues in their own nest-site choice. Pied flycatcher information use is complex, depending particularly on flycatcher’s own body size as well as the physical and extended phenotypes of the great tit, suggesting that transfer of relational concepts can occur between coexisting species in the wild.
R code file named, Symbol_experiment_Models_31_12_25.R, provides the R code for generalized linear models that were fitted to determine the variables that explain the symbol size choice of pied flycatcher. Dataset that includes the variables that were fitted to determine the symbol size choice of pied flycatcher is named Symbol_experiment_RH_31_12_25.csv.
Table M1.1. Metadata for variables in “Symbol_experiment_RH”
Variable: Definition
- Unit: Number of the research set-up unit.
- Year: Year that the field work was conducted.
- Clutch.size: Great tit clutch size treatment (High/Low).
- Great.symbol: Symbol shape in great tit nest box.
- Symbol.set: Symbol set in great tit nest box.
- Great.symbol.size: Symbol size in great tit nest box.
- Exp.Start: Experiment starting date.
- Flycatcher.decision: Pied flycatchers’ decision to copy or reject great tits symbol size decision.
- Decision.date: Date of pied flycatcher decision.
- Proportion: Proportion of great tit eggs that are visible under the coverings.
- GT_F_Age: Age of great tit female (years).
- GT_F_Tarsus: Tarsus length of great tit female (mm).
- PF_F_Age: Age of pied flycatcher female (years).
- PF_F_Tarsus: Tarsus length of great tit female (mm).
Note: "NA" cells are used when not applicable or data are missing. Commas are used for decimal delimiters.