Overview

• A new study led by the University of Wyoming and Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior shows that migrating animals, like white storks, refine their migration paths as they age.
• The research, involving over 250 white storks across five breeding areas in Germany and Austria, indicates a shift from exploratory to more direct migration patterns over time.
• Experiential learning plays a crucial role in this process, with older storks taking less time to explore and opting for more energy-efficient routes.
• The findings suggest that individual experience, alongside genetics and social behavior, significantly shapes migratory behaviors.
• This study could have implications for understanding migration in a variety of animal species, highlighting the importance of learning and memory in navigational strategies.