Great tits: birds with character

(PhysOrg.com) -- In humans and animals alike, individuals differ in sets of traits that we usually refer to as personality. An important part of the individual difference in personality is due to variation in the underlying genes. One gene, the dopamine receptor D4 gene, however, is known to influence novelty seeking and exploration behaviour in a range of species, including humans and birds. Researchers of the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Seewiesen now show that the gene`s influence on birds` behaviour differs markedly between wild populations of great tits. (Published in Molecular Ecology, February 9th, 2010)

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