Altersabhängiges Lernen bei der Japanischen Wachtel ( Coturnix coturnix japonica ) 1

The main question of our investigation is: Do there exist age‐specific learning abilities in animals? 120 quails ( Coturnix coturnix japonica ) of 12 different age groups (between one day and 20 weeks) were tested in a combination apparatus by using two training methods. 60 quails were trained with decreasing (1), 60 other quails with increasing learning assistance (2). In each case the learning period lasted 5 days after which the animals were tested in a two‐way choice apparatus and in a simple maze. Retention was tested 3 weeks later. ‐The 2 methods led to different results. In general the younger animals learnt better than the older ones when trained by method 1. No differences in learning performance between the 12 age groups were obtained by method 2.