The view from a bird’s eye

Researchers at Japan’s Nagoya University have harnessed miniature cameras to the backs of young brown boobies, providing an exciting look at in-flight footage of juvenile birds learning from their elders.

Scientist Ken Yoda believes the cameras allow his team to fill in previously unobservable airborne behavior in the creatures. “Social interactions play a crucial role in the development of young individuals, including humans,” Yoda says. “However, highly mobile juvenile birds in inaccessible environments are difficult to observe.”

According to Wired : By following adults or hanging out with more experienced birds, naive or young individuals can pick up valuable information on things like good foraging areas or migratory routes, the authors wrote. The more experienced animals don’t necessarily actively teach the youngsters, but the inexperienced animals learn by following.

Researchers hope this will provide a better understanding of the bird’s behavior and change the way scientists monitor marine settings and search for new organisms.