Experimental studies of foraging in complex laboratory environments

The value of examining hummingbird foraging behavior in complexlaboratory environments is discussed relative to decision theoryand experimental components analysis, and an experimental systemis described. The system provides control of metabolic, behavioral,and environmental variables, and allows automatic recordingand efficient analysis of behavior. Specific research applicationsof the system are discussed, including studies of adjustmentof food intake to changes in food concentration, discriminationand choice among food sources, and spatial memory organization.