Tay (Antonio J. Osuna Mascaró)
@biotay.bsky.social
Antonio J. Osuna Mascaró, Goffin Lab, Vienna, Austria
PhD^2 and Ninja Biologist.
Animal Behavior and Comparative Cognition.
Human perch for cockatoos.
Also here: twitter.com/BioTay
More about me here: https://osunamascaro.weebly.com/
PhD^2 and Ninja Biologist.
Animal Behavior and Comparative Cognition.
Human perch for cockatoos.
Also here: twitter.com/BioTay
More about me here: https://osunamascaro.weebly.com/
Reposted by Tay (Antonio J. Osuna Mascaró)
Excited to share that the second paper of my PhD is now published!
Kea but not cockatoos are susceptible to a bait-and-switch magic trick. And check out that thermal imaging! ❤️🔥
royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article...
Kea but not cockatoos are susceptible to a bait-and-switch magic trick. And check out that thermal imaging! ❤️🔥
royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article...
December 17, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Excited to share that the second paper of my PhD is now published!
Kea but not cockatoos are susceptible to a bait-and-switch magic trick. And check out that thermal imaging! ❤️🔥
royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article...
Kea but not cockatoos are susceptible to a bait-and-switch magic trick. And check out that thermal imaging! ❤️🔥
royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article...
1/12 Consciousness and attention in honeybees
This study provides evidence of consciousness-like states in bees, revealing strong and fascinating parallels with vertebrate awareness. I will try to explain it in a few "tweets".
(paper) www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
by @catherinemacri.bsky.social
This study provides evidence of consciousness-like states in bees, revealing strong and fascinating parallels with vertebrate awareness. I will try to explain it in a few "tweets".
(paper) www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
by @catherinemacri.bsky.social
December 17, 2025 at 7:24 PM
1/12 Consciousness and attention in honeybees
This study provides evidence of consciousness-like states in bees, revealing strong and fascinating parallels with vertebrate awareness. I will try to explain it in a few "tweets".
(paper) www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
by @catherinemacri.bsky.social
This study provides evidence of consciousness-like states in bees, revealing strong and fascinating parallels with vertebrate awareness. I will try to explain it in a few "tweets".
(paper) www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
by @catherinemacri.bsky.social
1/7 Lanmaoa asiatica (Jiànshǒuqīng, “see-blue-hand”) is a mushroom that grows in Asia and, when eaten raw, causes an extremely consistent effect: 96% of people see “xiao ren ren,” tiny people marching or jumping around the world.
(blog) nhmu.utah.edu/articles/exp...
(blog) nhmu.utah.edu/articles/exp...
December 14, 2025 at 8:22 PM
1/7 Lanmaoa asiatica (Jiànshǒuqīng, “see-blue-hand”) is a mushroom that grows in Asia and, when eaten raw, causes an extremely consistent effect: 96% of people see “xiao ren ren,” tiny people marching or jumping around the world.
(blog) nhmu.utah.edu/articles/exp...
(blog) nhmu.utah.edu/articles/exp...
1/5 Consciousness does not seem to depend on the frontal cortex
When participants are not asked to report when they detect the auditory stimulus, the brain activity that correlates with consciousness is that of the posterior regions.
(paper) www.cell.com/current-biol...
When participants are not asked to report when they detect the auditory stimulus, the brain activity that correlates with consciousness is that of the posterior regions.
(paper) www.cell.com/current-biol...
December 13, 2025 at 6:30 PM
1/5 Consciousness does not seem to depend on the frontal cortex
When participants are not asked to report when they detect the auditory stimulus, the brain activity that correlates with consciousness is that of the posterior regions.
(paper) www.cell.com/current-biol...
When participants are not asked to report when they detect the auditory stimulus, the brain activity that correlates with consciousness is that of the posterior regions.
(paper) www.cell.com/current-biol...
1/2 Collaboration between killer whales and dolphins on Canada's Pacific coast
Killer whales follow dolphins in search of salmon. They alternate their echolocation to avoid overlap. The killer whales catch the salmon (too large for the dolphins) and the dolphins get the scraps.
Killer whales follow dolphins in search of salmon. They alternate their echolocation to avoid overlap. The killer whales catch the salmon (too large for the dolphins) and the dolphins get the scraps.
December 13, 2025 at 5:16 PM
1/2 Collaboration between killer whales and dolphins on Canada's Pacific coast
Killer whales follow dolphins in search of salmon. They alternate their echolocation to avoid overlap. The killer whales catch the salmon (too large for the dolphins) and the dolphins get the scraps.
Killer whales follow dolphins in search of salmon. They alternate their echolocation to avoid overlap. The killer whales catch the salmon (too large for the dolphins) and the dolphins get the scraps.
1/3 Self-awareness prior to the mirror test.
It has been three days since this fish passed the mirror test in Masanori Kohda's laboratory in Osaka. It is now experimenting with reflections, grabbing and lifting pieces of shrimp before watching closely as they fall into the mirror.
It has been three days since this fish passed the mirror test in Masanori Kohda's laboratory in Osaka. It is now experimenting with reflections, grabbing and lifting pieces of shrimp before watching closely as they fall into the mirror.
December 13, 2025 at 4:44 PM
1/3 Self-awareness prior to the mirror test.
It has been three days since this fish passed the mirror test in Masanori Kohda's laboratory in Osaka. It is now experimenting with reflections, grabbing and lifting pieces of shrimp before watching closely as they fall into the mirror.
It has been three days since this fish passed the mirror test in Masanori Kohda's laboratory in Osaka. It is now experimenting with reflections, grabbing and lifting pieces of shrimp before watching closely as they fall into the mirror.
1/5 The happier you are, the sadder your dog's expression may seem
When we are happy, we tend to see others as happy too, but surprisingly, with dogs, the opposite seems to be true. This is the result of two studies.
(paper) peerj.com/articles/204...
When we are happy, we tend to see others as happy too, but surprisingly, with dogs, the opposite seems to be true. This is the result of two studies.
(paper) peerj.com/articles/204...
December 11, 2025 at 10:13 PM
1/5 The happier you are, the sadder your dog's expression may seem
When we are happy, we tend to see others as happy too, but surprisingly, with dogs, the opposite seems to be true. This is the result of two studies.
(paper) peerj.com/articles/204...
When we are happy, we tend to see others as happy too, but surprisingly, with dogs, the opposite seems to be true. This is the result of two studies.
(paper) peerj.com/articles/204...
Reposted by Tay (Antonio J. Osuna Mascaró)
Lo estoy flipando mucho con la descripción que se hace en el libro «El giro» de «De rerum natura» que Tito Lucrecio Caro escribió en S. I a.C. Leed este párrafo (es la descripción, no el poema original) y pensad que se escribió hace más de 2000 años.
December 7, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Lo estoy flipando mucho con la descripción que se hace en el libro «El giro» de «De rerum natura» que Tito Lucrecio Caro escribió en S. I a.C. Leed este párrafo (es la descripción, no el poema original) y pensad que se escribió hace más de 2000 años.
1/4 Cockatoos are winning the trash can war against Australians
Human motivation to protect them falls five times faster than cockatoos' motivation to open them, and increasing protections makes cockatoos better at it.
(paper) royalsocietypublishing.org/rstb/article...
Human motivation to protect them falls five times faster than cockatoos' motivation to open them, and increasing protections makes cockatoos better at it.
(paper) royalsocietypublishing.org/rstb/article...
December 7, 2025 at 11:21 AM
1/4 Cockatoos are winning the trash can war against Australians
Human motivation to protect them falls five times faster than cockatoos' motivation to open them, and increasing protections makes cockatoos better at it.
(paper) royalsocietypublishing.org/rstb/article...
Human motivation to protect them falls five times faster than cockatoos' motivation to open them, and increasing protections makes cockatoos better at it.
(paper) royalsocietypublishing.org/rstb/article...
1/4 Positive and negative moods in cockroaches
Cockroaches change their mood depending on recent experiences: they become more pessimistic after exposure to light and more optimistic after perceiving an attractive smell.
(preprint) www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Cockroaches change their mood depending on recent experiences: they become more pessimistic after exposure to light and more optimistic after perceiving an attractive smell.
(preprint) www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
December 6, 2025 at 6:25 PM
1/4 Positive and negative moods in cockroaches
Cockroaches change their mood depending on recent experiences: they become more pessimistic after exposure to light and more optimistic after perceiving an attractive smell.
(preprint) www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Cockroaches change their mood depending on recent experiences: they become more pessimistic after exposure to light and more optimistic after perceiving an attractive smell.
(preprint) www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
1/4 Memories in the early years of life
Although adults do not remember early childhood (before the age of 3-4, due to infantile amnesia), there is strong evidence that episodic memory exists in infants and young children.
(paper) www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
Although adults do not remember early childhood (before the age of 3-4, due to infantile amnesia), there is strong evidence that episodic memory exists in infants and young children.
(paper) www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
December 3, 2025 at 8:08 PM
1/4 Memories in the early years of life
Although adults do not remember early childhood (before the age of 3-4, due to infantile amnesia), there is strong evidence that episodic memory exists in infants and young children.
(paper) www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
Although adults do not remember early childhood (before the age of 3-4, due to infantile amnesia), there is strong evidence that episodic memory exists in infants and young children.
(paper) www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
With more humans, less fear of humans.
The more humans and urban elements there are (such as trash cans), the less fear hooded crows show. In areas with a greater human presence, birds become more trusting and delay their flight.
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
The more humans and urban elements there are (such as trash cans), the less fear hooded crows show. In areas with a greater human presence, birds become more trusting and delay their flight.
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
December 3, 2025 at 7:19 PM
With more humans, less fear of humans.
The more humans and urban elements there are (such as trash cans), the less fear hooded crows show. In areas with a greater human presence, birds become more trusting and delay their flight.
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
The more humans and urban elements there are (such as trash cans), the less fear hooded crows show. In areas with a greater human presence, birds become more trusting and delay their flight.
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
It seems that cats vocalize more when greeting men than women (4.3 meows compared to 1.8 in the first 100 seconds). This could be because women tend to pay more attention to them.
(blog) phys.org/news/2025-12...
(paper) onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
(blog) phys.org/news/2025-12...
(paper) onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
December 3, 2025 at 6:48 PM
It seems that cats vocalize more when greeting men than women (4.3 meows compared to 1.8 in the first 100 seconds). This could be because women tend to pay more attention to them.
(blog) phys.org/news/2025-12...
(paper) onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
(blog) phys.org/news/2025-12...
(paper) onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
1/3 Short video social media and mental health
This meta-analysis of 71 studies (n 98,299) found a correlation between the use of short video-based social media (TikTok, Instagram, etc.) and poorer mental health and cognition.
(paper) psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202...
This meta-analysis of 71 studies (n 98,299) found a correlation between the use of short video-based social media (TikTok, Instagram, etc.) and poorer mental health and cognition.
(paper) psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202...
December 3, 2025 at 6:15 PM
1/3 Short video social media and mental health
This meta-analysis of 71 studies (n 98,299) found a correlation between the use of short video-based social media (TikTok, Instagram, etc.) and poorer mental health and cognition.
(paper) psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202...
This meta-analysis of 71 studies (n 98,299) found a correlation between the use of short video-based social media (TikTok, Instagram, etc.) and poorer mental health and cognition.
(paper) psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202...
1/2 Mediaeval jousting, in flight and in miniature
The beaks of the males of some species of hummingbird (P. guy and P. longirostris) are adapted as weapons. They are beaks for competing: longer, straighter, and sharper than those of the females.
(paper) journals.biologists.com/jeb/article/...
The beaks of the males of some species of hummingbird (P. guy and P. longirostris) are adapted as weapons. They are beaks for competing: longer, straighter, and sharper than those of the females.
(paper) journals.biologists.com/jeb/article/...
November 30, 2025 at 7:57 PM
1/2 Mediaeval jousting, in flight and in miniature
The beaks of the males of some species of hummingbird (P. guy and P. longirostris) are adapted as weapons. They are beaks for competing: longer, straighter, and sharper than those of the females.
(paper) journals.biologists.com/jeb/article/...
The beaks of the males of some species of hummingbird (P. guy and P. longirostris) are adapted as weapons. They are beaks for competing: longer, straighter, and sharper than those of the females.
(paper) journals.biologists.com/jeb/article/...
1/9 The effort of thinking
I recently told you that cognitive effort only increases the brain's energy consumption by 5%. So, if we hardly use any energy when thinking, why is it perceived as such a great effort?
This was the thread:
bsky.app/profile/biot...
I recently told you that cognitive effort only increases the brain's energy consumption by 5%. So, if we hardly use any energy when thinking, why is it perceived as such a great effort?
This was the thread:
bsky.app/profile/biot...
x.com
November 30, 2025 at 7:34 PM
1/9 The effort of thinking
I recently told you that cognitive effort only increases the brain's energy consumption by 5%. So, if we hardly use any energy when thinking, why is it perceived as such a great effort?
This was the thread:
bsky.app/profile/biot...
I recently told you that cognitive effort only increases the brain's energy consumption by 5%. So, if we hardly use any energy when thinking, why is it perceived as such a great effort?
This was the thread:
bsky.app/profile/biot...
1/14 Evidence of visual awareness in insects
Some have argued that insects behave like small robots without consciousness. In this article (mostly focusing on bees), evidence is gathered to show that they have subjective experience.
(paper) www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
Some have argued that insects behave like small robots without consciousness. In this article (mostly focusing on bees), evidence is gathered to show that they have subjective experience.
(paper) www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
November 23, 2025 at 7:21 PM
1/14 Evidence of visual awareness in insects
Some have argued that insects behave like small robots without consciousness. In this article (mostly focusing on bees), evidence is gathered to show that they have subjective experience.
(paper) www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
Some have argued that insects behave like small robots without consciousness. In this article (mostly focusing on bees), evidence is gathered to show that they have subjective experience.
(paper) www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
1/2 The Batman effect
A pregnant researcher (fake pregnancy) gets on the subway. Another researcher, dressed either normally or as Batman, also boards. Passengers offered their seats more often when Batman was present (67.21% versus 37.66%; n 138)
(paper) www.nature.com/articles/s44...
A pregnant researcher (fake pregnancy) gets on the subway. Another researcher, dressed either normally or as Batman, also boards. Passengers offered their seats more often when Batman was present (67.21% versus 37.66%; n 138)
(paper) www.nature.com/articles/s44...
November 22, 2025 at 7:36 AM
1/2 The Batman effect
A pregnant researcher (fake pregnancy) gets on the subway. Another researcher, dressed either normally or as Batman, also boards. Passengers offered their seats more often when Batman was present (67.21% versus 37.66%; n 138)
(paper) www.nature.com/articles/s44...
A pregnant researcher (fake pregnancy) gets on the subway. Another researcher, dressed either normally or as Batman, also boards. Passengers offered their seats more often when Batman was present (67.21% versus 37.66%; n 138)
(paper) www.nature.com/articles/s44...
1/2 How much does thinking cost?
The brain consumes a large part of our energy (20% at rest), but it is actually very little (about 17 watts); it is extremely efficient. The most surprising thing is that cognitive effort only increases it by 5%.
(paper) www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
The brain consumes a large part of our energy (20% at rest), but it is actually very little (about 17 watts); it is extremely efficient. The most surprising thing is that cognitive effort only increases it by 5%.
(paper) www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
November 21, 2025 at 8:06 PM
1/2 How much does thinking cost?
The brain consumes a large part of our energy (20% at rest), but it is actually very little (about 17 watts); it is extremely efficient. The most surprising thing is that cognitive effort only increases it by 5%.
(paper) www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
The brain consumes a large part of our energy (20% at rest), but it is actually very little (about 17 watts); it is extremely efficient. The most surprising thing is that cognitive effort only increases it by 5%.
(paper) www.cell.com/trends/cogni...
Reposted by Tay (Antonio J. Osuna Mascaró)
Earlier today, I was notified that someone was at my door.
This is who it was:
This is who it was:
November 21, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Earlier today, I was notified that someone was at my door.
This is who it was:
This is who it was:
1/2 Jumping spiders recognize each other individually
The most surprising thing about this is that they do so using mental representations that remain in their long-term memory, which is a result of their general cognitive abilities (!!!)
(paper) elifesciences.org/articles/97146
The most surprising thing about this is that they do so using mental representations that remain in their long-term memory, which is a result of their general cognitive abilities (!!!)
(paper) elifesciences.org/articles/97146
November 20, 2025 at 6:55 PM
1/2 Jumping spiders recognize each other individually
The most surprising thing about this is that they do so using mental representations that remain in their long-term memory, which is a result of their general cognitive abilities (!!!)
(paper) elifesciences.org/articles/97146
The most surprising thing about this is that they do so using mental representations that remain in their long-term memory, which is a result of their general cognitive abilities (!!!)
(paper) elifesciences.org/articles/97146
Reposted by Tay (Antonio J. Osuna Mascaró)
A reminder to anyone interested in #brains #birds or behaviour, our new book is available for FREE as an ebook in addition to print copies.
#neuroethology #neuroskyence #ornithology 🧪🧠🪶
direct.mit.edu/books/oa-mon...
#neuroethology #neuroskyence #ornithology 🧪🧠🪶
direct.mit.edu/books/oa-mon...
Bird Brains and Behavior: A Synthesis
From two avian neurobiologists, a captivating deep dive into the mechanisms that control avian behavior.The last few decades have produced extensive resear
direct.mit.edu
November 20, 2025 at 11:58 AM
A reminder to anyone interested in #brains #birds or behaviour, our new book is available for FREE as an ebook in addition to print copies.
#neuroethology #neuroskyence #ornithology 🧪🧠🪶
direct.mit.edu/books/oa-mon...
#neuroethology #neuroskyence #ornithology 🧪🧠🪶
direct.mit.edu/books/oa-mon...
1/5 Parasitic queen ants
The queen of certain ant species has been found to act as a parasite in the colonies of other species. She manipulates the behaviour of the workers so that they kill their own queen, allowing her to replace her.
The queen of certain ant species has been found to act as a parasite in the colonies of other species. She manipulates the behaviour of the workers so that they kill their own queen, allowing her to replace her.
November 18, 2025 at 7:56 PM
1/5 Parasitic queen ants
The queen of certain ant species has been found to act as a parasite in the colonies of other species. She manipulates the behaviour of the workers so that they kill their own queen, allowing her to replace her.
The queen of certain ant species has been found to act as a parasite in the colonies of other species. She manipulates the behaviour of the workers so that they kill their own queen, allowing her to replace her.
1/2 Raccoons are domesticating themselves
They have studied iNaturalist photographs from the countryside and cities, and city raccoons have snouts 3.56% shorter in proportion to their skulls. This could indicate a domestication syndrome
(paper) frontiersinzoology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
They have studied iNaturalist photographs from the countryside and cities, and city raccoons have snouts 3.56% shorter in proportion to their skulls. This could indicate a domestication syndrome
(paper) frontiersinzoology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
November 16, 2025 at 5:44 PM
1/2 Raccoons are domesticating themselves
They have studied iNaturalist photographs from the countryside and cities, and city raccoons have snouts 3.56% shorter in proportion to their skulls. This could indicate a domestication syndrome
(paper) frontiersinzoology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
They have studied iNaturalist photographs from the countryside and cities, and city raccoons have snouts 3.56% shorter in proportion to their skulls. This could indicate a domestication syndrome
(paper) frontiersinzoology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
1/6 Self-awareness could be VERY ancient
In this review, Masanori Kohda argues that the ability to use a mirror to locate objects, which roosters and hens possess, requires the prior ability to recognize oneself.
(paper) royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
In this review, Masanori Kohda argues that the ability to use a mirror to locate objects, which roosters and hens possess, requires the prior ability to recognize oneself.
(paper) royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
November 15, 2025 at 6:03 PM
1/6 Self-awareness could be VERY ancient
In this review, Masanori Kohda argues that the ability to use a mirror to locate objects, which roosters and hens possess, requires the prior ability to recognize oneself.
(paper) royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
In this review, Masanori Kohda argues that the ability to use a mirror to locate objects, which roosters and hens possess, requires the prior ability to recognize oneself.
(paper) royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...