22 July 2015
Behavioural biologist Neeltje Boogert has demonstrated that differences in social behaviour in zebra finches are partly determined by early-life exposure to stress hormones. Stressed birds were found to be far more independent in their later life than their non-stressed compatriots. The stressed birds learn from other birds and are less dependent on their parents. Boogert published the results in the journal Current Biology. She carried out her research at the University of St Andrews with funding from a Rubicon grant. Last week she was awarded a Veni grant by NWO.