Experimental studies of foraging in complex laboratory environments

The value of examining hummingbird foraging behavior in complex laboratory environments is discussed relative to decision theory and experimental components analysis, and an experimental system is described. The system provides control of metabolic, behavioral, and environmental variables, and allows automatic recording and efficient analysis of behavior. Specific research applications of the system are discussed, including studies of adjustment of food intake to changes in food concentration, discrimination and choice among food sources, and spatial memory organization.