Cornish Jackdaw Project
@cornishjackdaws.bsky.social
Research team led by Alex Thornton at the University of Exeter's Centre for Ecology and Conservation, studying cognition in wild jackdaws and other creatures.
wildcognitionresearch.com
wildcognitionresearch.com
Pinned
New paper out in @animalecology.bsky.social: Social information about others' affective states in a human-altered world. Link: besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
With @jackdawjordan.bsky.social, @margauxvanhussel.bsky.social, Mike Mendl, and @cornishjackdaws.bsky.social
With @jackdawjordan.bsky.social, @margauxvanhussel.bsky.social, Mike Mendl, and @cornishjackdaws.bsky.social
Huge thanks to @wildanimalinitv.bsky.social and @leverhulme.ac.uk for funding! #animalwelfare #wildlife #animalbehaviour #conservation
Reposted by Cornish Jackdaw Project
New (competition funded) PhD opportunity with me,
@iaciac.bsky.social and @dralgernon.bsky.social
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Higher-order networks and animal communication. Suited to someone keen on network science theory/computational modeling and keen to adapt this to ecology & evolution.
@iaciac.bsky.social and @dralgernon.bsky.social
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Higher-order networks and animal communication. Suited to someone keen on network science theory/computational modeling and keen to adapt this to ecology & evolution.
February 9, 2026 at 2:41 PM
New (competition funded) PhD opportunity with me,
@iaciac.bsky.social and @dralgernon.bsky.social
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Higher-order networks and animal communication. Suited to someone keen on network science theory/computational modeling and keen to adapt this to ecology & evolution.
@iaciac.bsky.social and @dralgernon.bsky.social
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Higher-order networks and animal communication. Suited to someone keen on network science theory/computational modeling and keen to adapt this to ecology & evolution.
Reposted by Cornish Jackdaw Project
A new paper published in Nature introduces the Ocean Equity Index (OEI), the first global tool to measure fairness in ocean policies and projects.
It was developed by 27 leading experts in marine conservation, social justice and ocean governance.
🌊 news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-e...
It was developed by 27 leading experts in marine conservation, social justice and ocean governance.
🌊 news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-e...
January 30, 2026 at 10:52 AM
A new paper published in Nature introduces the Ocean Equity Index (OEI), the first global tool to measure fairness in ocean policies and projects.
It was developed by 27 leading experts in marine conservation, social justice and ocean governance.
🌊 news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-e...
It was developed by 27 leading experts in marine conservation, social justice and ocean governance.
🌊 news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-e...
Reposted by Cornish Jackdaw Project
Job alert! The University of Zurich is hiring a professor for Evolutionary Anthropology and Primatology. Learn more here: www.appointments.mnf.uzh.ch/auth/Apply/0...
Selectus - Home
www.appointments.mnf.uzh.ch
January 27, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Job alert! The University of Zurich is hiring a professor for Evolutionary Anthropology and Primatology. Learn more here: www.appointments.mnf.uzh.ch/auth/Apply/0...
Huge thanks to @wildanimalinitv.bsky.social and @leverhulme.ac.uk for funding! #animalwelfare #wildlife #animalbehaviour #conservation
New paper out in @animalecology.bsky.social: Social information about others' affective states in a human-altered world. Link: besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
With @jackdawjordan.bsky.social, @margauxvanhussel.bsky.social, Mike Mendl, and @cornishjackdaws.bsky.social
With @jackdawjordan.bsky.social, @margauxvanhussel.bsky.social, Mike Mendl, and @cornishjackdaws.bsky.social
January 23, 2026 at 7:11 PM
Huge thanks to @wildanimalinitv.bsky.social and @leverhulme.ac.uk for funding! #animalwelfare #wildlife #animalbehaviour #conservation
Reposted by Cornish Jackdaw Project
New paper out in @animalecology.bsky.social: Social information about others' affective states in a human-altered world. Link: besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
With @jackdawjordan.bsky.social, @margauxvanhussel.bsky.social, Mike Mendl, and @cornishjackdaws.bsky.social
With @jackdawjordan.bsky.social, @margauxvanhussel.bsky.social, Mike Mendl, and @cornishjackdaws.bsky.social
January 22, 2026 at 1:51 PM
New paper out in @animalecology.bsky.social: Social information about others' affective states in a human-altered world. Link: besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
With @jackdawjordan.bsky.social, @margauxvanhussel.bsky.social, Mike Mendl, and @cornishjackdaws.bsky.social
With @jackdawjordan.bsky.social, @margauxvanhussel.bsky.social, Mike Mendl, and @cornishjackdaws.bsky.social
Reposted by Cornish Jackdaw Project
New bowerbird paper out, we asked whether male great bowerbirds care about the light environment around the bower where they display to females. Short answer: not really. What they do care about is having a display arena with strong visual contrast on the ground. 🐦 tinyurl.com/2v7rycdz
January 15, 2026 at 3:13 PM
New bowerbird paper out, we asked whether male great bowerbirds care about the light environment around the bower where they display to females. Short answer: not really. What they do care about is having a display arena with strong visual contrast on the ground. 🐦 tinyurl.com/2v7rycdz
Reposted by Cornish Jackdaw Project
Update on some of our decades long cowbird research in @audubon.org magazine: www.audubon.org/magazine/got...
Got Beef With Cowbirds? This Researcher Wants to Change Your Mind
The nest parasites get a bad rap for making other birds raise their young, but study by study, Mark Hauber and his “Cowbird Lab” have revealed a species worthy of respect.
www.audubon.org
January 15, 2026 at 11:26 PM
Update on some of our decades long cowbird research in @audubon.org magazine: www.audubon.org/magazine/got...
Reposted by Cornish Jackdaw Project
Reposted by Cornish Jackdaw Project
Internships are now available with the Cornish Jackdaw Project! 🐦⬛
Duties will include assisting with nest monitoring, bird ringing, data entry, and the potential to help with ongoing research projects.
Duties will include assisting with nest monitoring, bird ringing, data entry, and the potential to help with ongoing research projects.
January 15, 2026 at 8:27 AM
Internships are now available with the Cornish Jackdaw Project! 🐦⬛
Duties will include assisting with nest monitoring, bird ringing, data entry, and the potential to help with ongoing research projects.
Duties will include assisting with nest monitoring, bird ringing, data entry, and the potential to help with ongoing research projects.
Reposted by Cornish Jackdaw Project
January 9, 2026 at 10:10 AM
Check out these excellent PhD opportunities, with fabulous supervisors!
🚨Roll up, roll up, fully-funded #PhD deadlines approaching...
6th Jan: tinyurl.com/aja54nr6
8th Jan: tinyurl.com/4jfy47pp
Social monitoring & manipulation
#meerkats #mongooses #macaques #fieldwork #long-termdata
@patrick-kennedy.bsky.social @ljnbrent.bsky.social
@bristolbiosci.bsky.social
6th Jan: tinyurl.com/aja54nr6
8th Jan: tinyurl.com/4jfy47pp
Social monitoring & manipulation
#meerkats #mongooses #macaques #fieldwork #long-termdata
@patrick-kennedy.bsky.social @ljnbrent.bsky.social
@bristolbiosci.bsky.social
December 30, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Check out these excellent PhD opportunities, with fabulous supervisors!
Reposted by Cornish Jackdaw Project
Applications closing 5th Jan for Fully funded PhD through @iapetusdtp.bsky.social
Studying behaviour and ecology of anemonefishes. Need to be happy to spend lots of time in Papua New Guinea and need to be SCUBA qualified.
iapetus.ac.uk/studentships...
Studying behaviour and ecology of anemonefishes. Need to be happy to spend lots of time in Papua New Guinea and need to be SCUBA qualified.
iapetus.ac.uk/studentships...
Predator defence in anemonefishes
iapetus.ac.uk
December 30, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Applications closing 5th Jan for Fully funded PhD through @iapetusdtp.bsky.social
Studying behaviour and ecology of anemonefishes. Need to be happy to spend lots of time in Papua New Guinea and need to be SCUBA qualified.
iapetus.ac.uk/studentships...
Studying behaviour and ecology of anemonefishes. Need to be happy to spend lots of time in Papua New Guinea and need to be SCUBA qualified.
iapetus.ac.uk/studentships...
Reposted by Cornish Jackdaw Project
To survive and flourish, many animal species rely on ecological knowledge. But this knowledge is not always spread across the group—it's often held by certain "keystone individuals."
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, w/ @pbrakes.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/the-value-of...
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, w/ @pbrakes.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/the-value-of...
December 16, 2025 at 5:00 PM
To survive and flourish, many animal species rely on ecological knowledge. But this knowledge is not always spread across the group—it's often held by certain "keystone individuals."
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, w/ @pbrakes.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/the-value-of...
Just one of the topics discussed in our latest episode, w/ @pbrakes.bsky.social!
Listen: disi.org/the-value-of...
Reposted by Cornish Jackdaw Project
In one of those days where purpose seems hard to find, nice to read: "why does the world still need behavioural ecologists?"
A reminder of how exciting it is to see the world from the eyes of a behavioural ecologist.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A reminder of how exciting it is to see the world from the eyes of a behavioural ecologist.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Behavioural ecology in the twenty-first century - Nature Ecology & Evolution
This Perspective discusses how the field of behavioural ecology has contributed to fundamental science and tackling global challenges, ranging from understanding how natural selection leads to adaptat...
www.nature.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:22 AM
In one of those days where purpose seems hard to find, nice to read: "why does the world still need behavioural ecologists?"
A reminder of how exciting it is to see the world from the eyes of a behavioural ecologist.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A reminder of how exciting it is to see the world from the eyes of a behavioural ecologist.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Cornish Jackdaw Project
Our newest research in @currentbiology.bsky.social:
www.cell.com/current-biol...
We find dominant baboons have more interrupted and less rest at night.
Author list and story in comments below :-)
www.cell.com/current-biol...
We find dominant baboons have more interrupted and less rest at night.
Author list and story in comments below :-)
December 14, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Our newest research in @currentbiology.bsky.social:
www.cell.com/current-biol...
We find dominant baboons have more interrupted and less rest at night.
Author list and story in comments below :-)
www.cell.com/current-biol...
We find dominant baboons have more interrupted and less rest at night.
Author list and story in comments below :-)
Reposted by Cornish Jackdaw Project
December 10, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Reposted by Cornish Jackdaw Project
Pleased to announce that @exetermarine.bsky.social will be a founding member of Marine Science UK - an umbrella organisation that will champion the ocean and communicate robust and coherent marine science evidence to government, industry and the wider community. 🌍🧪🦑
See also: marinescience.org.uk
See also: marinescience.org.uk
December 11, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Pleased to announce that @exetermarine.bsky.social will be a founding member of Marine Science UK - an umbrella organisation that will champion the ocean and communicate robust and coherent marine science evidence to government, industry and the wider community. 🌍🧪🦑
See also: marinescience.org.uk
See also: marinescience.org.uk
Reposted by Cornish Jackdaw Project
👋to @josharbon.bsky.social who has completed a truly outstanding #NERC-funded postdoc investigating #pre-emptive #behaviour in relation to #intergroup #conflict 👏
Loads of exciting #research, new #methods learned & an awe-inspiring level of help provided to others 🥇
Good luck in #Cambridge, Josh
Loads of exciting #research, new #methods learned & an awe-inspiring level of help provided to others 🥇
Good luck in #Cambridge, Josh
December 2, 2025 at 2:32 PM
👋to @josharbon.bsky.social who has completed a truly outstanding #NERC-funded postdoc investigating #pre-emptive #behaviour in relation to #intergroup #conflict 👏
Loads of exciting #research, new #methods learned & an awe-inspiring level of help provided to others 🥇
Good luck in #Cambridge, Josh
Loads of exciting #research, new #methods learned & an awe-inspiring level of help provided to others 🥇
Good luck in #Cambridge, Josh
New paper, led by our former PhD student Victoria Lee. Wild jackdaws recognise the contact calls of their mate: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
@uniexecec.bsky.social @guillmcivor.bsky.social
@uniexecec.bsky.social @guillmcivor.bsky.social
Wild jackdaws recognise the contact calls of their mate - Animal Cognition
Animal Cognition - In stable social environments, the ability to recognise other group members and integrate individual cues with previous experience is likely to be beneficial in mediating social...
link.springer.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:45 AM
New paper, led by our former PhD student Victoria Lee. Wild jackdaws recognise the contact calls of their mate: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
@uniexecec.bsky.social @guillmcivor.bsky.social
@uniexecec.bsky.social @guillmcivor.bsky.social
Reposted by Cornish Jackdaw Project
This Perspective discusses how the field of behavioural ecology has contributed to fundamental science and global challenges, ranging from understanding how natural selection leads to adaptation to optimizing biocontrol of pest species www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Free to read: rdcu.be/eRKbv
Free to read: rdcu.be/eRKbv
Behavioural ecology in the twenty-first century - Nature Ecology & Evolution
This Perspective discusses how the field of behavioural ecology has contributed to fundamental science and tackling global challenges, ranging from understanding how natural selection leads to adaptat...
www.nature.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:03 PM
This Perspective discusses how the field of behavioural ecology has contributed to fundamental science and global challenges, ranging from understanding how natural selection leads to adaptation to optimizing biocontrol of pest species www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Free to read: rdcu.be/eRKbv
Free to read: rdcu.be/eRKbv
Reposted by Cornish Jackdaw Project
After many years of trying to combine my 2 passions, art 🎨 and science 👩🔬, into something meaningful, i have created an educational #ChildrensBook! 📚
✨ Meet The Rimba🦧, a gentle, lyrical tale about a wise orangutan guardian spirit who protects her rainforest home and the creatures who depend on it.
✨ Meet The Rimba🦧, a gentle, lyrical tale about a wise orangutan guardian spirit who protects her rainforest home and the creatures who depend on it.
November 26, 2025 at 8:25 AM
After many years of trying to combine my 2 passions, art 🎨 and science 👩🔬, into something meaningful, i have created an educational #ChildrensBook! 📚
✨ Meet The Rimba🦧, a gentle, lyrical tale about a wise orangutan guardian spirit who protects her rainforest home and the creatures who depend on it.
✨ Meet The Rimba🦧, a gentle, lyrical tale about a wise orangutan guardian spirit who protects her rainforest home and the creatures who depend on it.
Reposted by Cornish Jackdaw Project
Are you looking for a wild PhD opportunity? 🦠🧵
There are several opportunities to join the Wild Microbiome Lab in 2026! Scroll for more information, or visit the link below for full project descriptions and application information👇
xavharrison.github.io
There are several opportunities to join the Wild Microbiome Lab in 2026! Scroll for more information, or visit the link below for full project descriptions and application information👇
xavharrison.github.io
November 24, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Are you looking for a wild PhD opportunity? 🦠🧵
There are several opportunities to join the Wild Microbiome Lab in 2026! Scroll for more information, or visit the link below for full project descriptions and application information👇
xavharrison.github.io
There are several opportunities to join the Wild Microbiome Lab in 2026! Scroll for more information, or visit the link below for full project descriptions and application information👇
xavharrison.github.io
PhD opportunity in NZ - Fabulous supervisor, exciting questions, great system! Get your applications in!
PhD scholarship alert! Are you interested in cognitive evolution? Do you want to know how development influences cognitive traits? Do you love hanging out with birds in the forest? If the answer to these questions is yes, please apply to work with us! 1/2 🧪
www.wgtn.ac.nz/scholarships...
www.wgtn.ac.nz/scholarships...
November 18, 2025 at 8:39 AM
PhD opportunity in NZ - Fabulous supervisor, exciting questions, great system! Get your applications in!
Reposted by Cornish Jackdaw Project
The final chapter of my thesis has just been published in Ecology and Evolution! @ecol-evol.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Here we find that the social environment, notably vocal and aggressive interactions, are linked to cognitive development in magpie fledglings.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Here we find that the social environment, notably vocal and aggressive interactions, are linked to cognitive development in magpie fledglings.
November 14, 2025 at 11:22 AM
The final chapter of my thesis has just been published in Ecology and Evolution! @ecol-evol.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Here we find that the social environment, notably vocal and aggressive interactions, are linked to cognitive development in magpie fledglings.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Here we find that the social environment, notably vocal and aggressive interactions, are linked to cognitive development in magpie fledglings.
Exciting PhD opportunity to develop tech and software to record and understand wild animal behaviour. Fully funded by EPSRC DLA. Based at @uniexecec.bsky.social; co-supervised by Alex Thornton (@cornishjackdaws.bsky.social), @kjhockings.bsky.social and collaborators. Apply: tinyurl.com/5fr73snt
November 14, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Exciting PhD opportunity to develop tech and software to record and understand wild animal behaviour. Fully funded by EPSRC DLA. Based at @uniexecec.bsky.social; co-supervised by Alex Thornton (@cornishjackdaws.bsky.social), @kjhockings.bsky.social and collaborators. Apply: tinyurl.com/5fr73snt