Prof Claudia Mettke-Hofmann

Journal article

Hofmann G, Mettke-Hofmann C. 2025. Conspicuous Animals Remain Alert When Under Cover but Do Not Differ in the Temporal Course of Vigilance from Less Conspicuous Species Animals, 15 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Hofmann G, Mettke-Hofmann C. 2024. Watch out! High vigilance at small waterholes when alone in open trees Tubelis DP. PLoS One, 19 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Larousse O, Mettke-Hofmann C. 2024. Salience Beats Individual Cue Preferences Birds, 5 :115-126 DOI Publisher Url Public Url

Moise R, Eccles G, Mettke-Hofmann C. 2023. Enclosure Background Preferences Differ between Sexes and Color Morphs in the Gouldian Finch Animals, 13 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Mettke-Hofmann C. 2022. When to return to normal? Temporal dynamics of vigilance in four situations Birds, 4 :1-14 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Mettke-Hofmann C. 2022. Is vigilance a personality trait? Plasticity is key alongside some contextual consistency Lutermann HEIKE. PLoS One, 17 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Mettke-Hofmann C. 2021. Morph Composition Matters in the Gouldian Finch (Chloebia gouldiae): Involvement of Red-Headed Birds Increases Vigilance Birds, 2 :404-414 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Eccles GR, Bethell EJ, Greggor AL, Mettke-Hofmann C. 2021. Individual Variation in Dietary Wariness Is Predicted by Head Color in a Specialist Feeder, the Gouldian Finch Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 9 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Mettke-Hofmann C, Eccles G, Greggor A, Bethell EJ. 2020. Cognition in a changing world: Red-headed Gouldian finches enter spatially unfamiliar habitats more readily than do black-headed birds Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 8 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

O'Reilly AO, Hofmann G, Mettke-Hofmann C. 2019. Gouldian finches are followers with black-headed females taking the lead PLoS ONE, 14 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Perkovic K, Mettke-Hofmann C. 2018. Colour polymorphic Gouldian finches avoid complex backgrounds but prefer simple camouflage colours over white backgrounds Applied Animal Behaviour Science, DOI Publisher Url Public Url

Braun MP, Reinschnidt M, Datzmann T, Waugh D, Zamora R, Haebich A, Neves L, Gerlach H, Arndt T, Mettke-Hofmann C, Sauer-Guerth H, Wink M. 2017. Influences of oceanic islands and the Pleistocene on the biogeography and evolution of two groups of Australasian parrots (Aves: Psittaciformes: Eclectus roratus, Trichoglossus haematodus complex). Rapid evolution and implications for taxonomy and conservation European Journal of Ecology, 3 :47-66 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Stanley CR, Mettke-Hofmann C, Hager R, Shultz S. 2017. Social stability in semi-feral ponies: networks show inter-annual stability alongside seasonal flexibility Animal Behaviour, 136 :175-184 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Stanley CR, Mettke-Hofmann C, Preziosi R. 2017. Personality in the Cockroach (Diploptera punctate): Evidence for Stability Across Developmental Stages Despite Age Effects on Boldness PLoS ONE, 12 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Scriba MF, Gasparini J, Jacquin L, Mettke-Hofmann C, Rattenborg NC, Roulin A. 2016. The effect of food quality during growth on spatial memory consolidation in adult pigeons Journal of Experimental Biology, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Nilsson ALK, Nilsson J-A, Mettke-Hofmann C. 2016. Energy Reserves, Information Need and a Pinch of Personality Determine Decision-Making on Route in Partially Migratory Blue Tits PLoS One, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Mettke-Hofmann CCP. 2016. Avian movements in a modern world - cognitive challenges Animal Cognition, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Mettke-Hofmann C, Hamel PB, Hofmann G, Zenzal TJ, Pellegrini A, Malpass J, Garfinkel M, Schiff N, Greenberg R. 2015. Competition and habitat quality influence age and sex distribution in wintering rusty blackbirds. PLoS One, 10 :1-17 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

King AJ, Williams LJ, Mettke-Hofmann C. 2014. The effects of social conformity on Gouldian finch personality Animal Behaviour, 99 :25-31 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Mettke-Hofmann C. 2014. Cognitive ecology – ecological factors, life-styles and cognition WIREs Cognitive Science, 5 :345-360 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Scriba MF, Harmening WM, Mettke-Hofmann C, Vyssotski AL, Roulin A, Wagner H, Rattenborg NC. 2013. Evaluation of two minimally invasive techniques for electroencephalogram recording in wild or freely behaving animals. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol, 199 :183-189 DOI Author Url Publisher Url

Mettke-Hofmann C, Winkler H, Hamel PB, Greenberg R. 2013. Migratory New World blackbirds (icterids) are more neophobic than closely related resident icterids. PLoS One, 8 :e57565 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Mettke-Hofmann CCP, Wink M, Braun M, Winkler H. 2012. Residency and a broad feeding spectrum are related to extensive spatial exploration in parrots Behavioral Ecology, 6 :1365-1375 DOI Publisher Url Public Url

Williams LJ, King AJ, Mettke-Hofmann C. 2012. Colourful characters: head colour reflects personality in a social bird, the Gouldian finch, Erythrura gouldiae ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR, 84 :159-165 DOI Author Url Publisher Url

Williams LJ, King AJ, Mettke-Hofmann C. 2012. Colourful characters: Head colour reflects personality in a social bird, the Gouldian finch, Erythrura gouldiae Animal Behaviour, 84 :159-165 DOI

Mettke-Hofmann C. 2012. The effect of head colour and age on personality traits in a social setting. Ethology, 118 :906-916

Mettke-Hofmann C. 2012. Head Colour and Age Relate to Personality Traits in Gouldian Finches Ethology, 118 :906-916 DOI Publisher Url

Sueur C, King AJ, Conradt L, Kerth G, Lusseau D, Mettke-Hofmann C, Schaffner CM, Williams L, Zinner D, Aureli F. 2011. Collective decision-making and fission-fusion dynamics: a conceptual framework OIKOS, 120 :1608-1617 DOI Author Url Publisher Url

Greenberg R, Demarest D, Matsuoka S, Mettke-Hofmann C, Droege S, Evers D, Hamel PB, Hodgman TP, Luscier J. 2011. Understanding declines in Rusty blackbirds (Euphagus carolinus). Journal of Avian Biology, 41 :107-125

Sueur C, King AJ, Conradt L, Kerth G, Lusseau D, Mettke-Hofmann C, Schaffner CM, Williams L, Zinner D, Aureli F. 2011. Collective decision-making and fission-fusion dynamics: a conceptual framework OIKOS, 120 :1608-1617

Barnard W, Mettke-Hofmann C, Matsuoka S. 2010. Prevalence of hematozoa infections among breeding and wintering Rusty Blackbirds. Condor, 112 :849-853 DOI Publisher Url

Edmonds ST, Evers DC, O Driscoll NJ, Mettke-Hofmann C, Powell L, Cristol D, McGann AJ, Armiger JW, Lane O, Tessler D, Newell P. 2010. Geographic and seasonal variation in mercury exposure of the declining Rusty Blackbird Condor, 112 :789-799 DOI Publisher Url

Hobson KA, Greenberg R, van Wilgenburg S, Mettke-Hofmann C. 2010. Migratory connectivity in the Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) in North America. Isotopic evidence from feathers of historic and contemporary specimens Condor, 112 :778-788 DOI Publisher Url

Mettke-Hofmann C, Sinclair P, Hamel PB, Greenberg R. 2010. Implications of prebasic and a previously undescribed prealternate molt on aging Rusty Blackbirds Condor, 112 :854-861 DOI Publisher Url

Mettke-Hofmann C, Lorentzen S, Schlicht E, Schneider J, Werner F. 2009. Spatial Neophilia and Spatial Neophobia in Resident and Migratory Warblers (Sylvia) Ethology, 115 :482-492 DOI Author Url Publisher Url

Mettke-Hofmann C. 2007. Context-specific neophilia and its consequences for innovations Behavioral & Brain Sciences, 30 :419-420 DOI Publisher Url

Mettke-Hofmann C. 2007. Object exploration of garden and Sardinian warblers peaks in spring. Ethology, 113 :174-182 DOI Publisher Url

Mettke-Hofmann C, Rowe K, Hayden T, Canoine V. 2006. Effects of experience and object complexity on exploration in garden warblers (Sylvia borin). Journal of Zoology, 268 :405-413 DOI Publisher Url

Mettke-Hofmann C, Ebert C, Schmidt T, Steiger S, Stieb S. 2005. Personality traits in resident and migratory warbler species. Behaviour, 142 :1357-1375 DOI Publisher Url

Mettke-Hofmann C, Wink M, Winkler H, Leisler B. 2005. Exploration of environmental changes relates to lifestyle Behavioral Ecology, 16 :247-254 DOI Publisher Url

Mettke-Hofmann C, Gwinner E. 2004. Differential assessment of environmental information in a migratory and a non-migratory passerine Animal Behaviour, 68 :1079-1086 DOI Publisher Url

Mettke-Hofmann C, Gwinner E. 2003. Long-term memory for a life on the move. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 100 :5863-5866 DOI Author Url Publisher Url

Mettke-Hofmann C, Winkler H, Leisler B. 2002. The significance of ecological factors for exploration and neophobia in parrots Ethology, 108 :249-272 DOI Publisher Url

Greenberg R, Mettke-Hofmann C. 2001. Ecological aspects of neophobia and neophilia in birds Current Ornithology, 16 :119-178 DOI Publisher Url

Mettke-Hofmann C. 2000. Changes in exploration from courtship to the breeding state in red-rumped parrots (Psephotus haematonotus) Behavioural Processes, 49 :139-148 DOI Author Url Publisher Url

Mettke-Hofmann C. 2000. Reactions of nomadic and resident parrot species Psittacidae to environmental enrichment at the Max-Planck-Institut. International Zoo Yearbook, 37 :244-256

METTKE‐HOFMANN C. 2000. Reactions of nomadic and resident parrot species International Zoo Yearbook, 37 :244-256 DOI Publisher Url

preprint

Miller R, Slipogor V, Caspar K, Lois-Milevicich J, Reber S, Mettke-Hofmann C, Lambert M. 2024. Evolutionary drivers of neophobia across the avian clade Center for Open Science DOI Publisher Url

Editorial/letter to the editor

Mettke-Hofmann C. 2024. Effects of Enclosure Complexity and Design on Behaviour and Physiology in Captive Animals Smith A, Rose P. Animals, 14 DOI Author Url Publisher Url

Chapters

Mettke-Hofmann C. 2022. Neophobia Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior :4582-4590 Springer International Publishing 9783319550640 DOI Publisher Url

Greenberg R, Demarest DW, Matsuoka SM, Mettke-Hofmann C, Evers D, Hamel PB, Luscier J, Powell LL, Shaw D, Avery ML, Hobson KA, Blancher PJ, Niven DK. 2019. 9. Understanding Declines In Rusty Blackbirds Boreal Birds of North America :107-126 University of California Press DOI Publisher Url

Mettke-Hofmann CCP. 2017. Neophobia Vonk J, Shackelford TK. Springer International Publishing DOI Publisher Url

Mettke-Hofmann C. 2010. Learning and cognition in resident and migrant birds. Zhang W, Liu H. Behavioral and Chemical Ecology :155-172 Nova Science. New York

Mettke-Hofmann C, Greenberg R. 2005. Behavioral and cognitive adaptations to long-distance migration Greenberg R, Marra PP. Birds of two Worlds: The Ecology and Evolution of Migratory Birds :114-123 Johns Hopkins University Press

Mettke-Hofmann C, Hofmann G. 2002. Breeding success and colour of nest lining material - is there a relationship? Mettke-Hofmann C, Gansloßer U. Bird Research and Breeding :137-152 Filander Verlag. Fürth

Thaler E, Pegoraro K, Mettke-Hofmann C. 2002. The influence of controlled imprinting on the behaviour of hand-raised birds. Mettke-Hofmann C, Gansloßer U. Bird Research and Breeding :125-136 Filander Verlag. Fürth

Books (authored)

Van den Elzen R, Hofmann G, Mettke-Hofmann C. 2007. Prachtfinken Nicolai J, Steinbacher J. Ulmer Verlag. Stuttgart

Books (edited)

2002. Bird Research and Breeding Mettke-Hofmann C, Gansloßer U. Filander Verlag. Fürth

Editorial boards:

Editorial Board member, Journal 'Animals', https://www.mdpi.com/journal/animals/editors#editorialboard. 2023

Section Editor, PLOS ONE. 2014

Academic Editor, PLoSONE. 2011

Research Grants Awarded:

Duration of research project: 6 months, Grant value (£): 1,225 (Euro 1,500), Association for Species Protection, Bird Protection & Bird Breeding (AZ), Who is more vigilant: red-headed or black-headed Gouldian finches?. 2021

Duration of research project: 6 months, Grant value (£): 880 (Euro 1,000), Arndt publisher, Vigilance in the colour polymorphic Gouldian finch in the wild. 2021

Duration of research project: 6 months, Grant value (£): 440 (Euro 500), Estrilda, Vigilance in colour polymorphic Gouldian finches in the wild. 2020

Duration of research project: 6 months, Grant value (£): 880 (Euro 1,000), Society for Tropical Ornithology (GTO), Mix Morph Effects on Vigilance in Gourdian Finches. 2020

Duration of research project: 6 months, Grant value (£): 880 (Euro 1,000), Society for Species Conservation Bird Breeding (GAV), Who is more vigilant: red-headed or black-headed Gouldian finches?. 2020

Duration of research project: 6 months, Grant value (£): 1737, Ethological Society, Mixed morphs: effects of vigilance. 2020

Duration of research project: 4 days, Grant value (£): £1000, Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour, European Conference on Behavioural biology. 2017

Duration of research project: 4 days, Grant value (£): £880, German Ethological Society, European Conference on Behavioural Biology. 2017

Duration of research project: 6 months, Grant value (£): 2906, German Ornithologists’ Society, Does head colour predict risk-taking and vigilance in wild Gouldian finches?. 2017

Duration of research project: 6 months, Grant value (£): 1,674.48, Society of Species Conservation and Aviculture, Beeinflusst die Kopffarbe Risikoverhalten und Aufmerksamkeit bei der Gouldamadine?. 2017

Duration of research project: 6 months, Grant value (£): 850, Society for Tropical Ornithology, Beeinflusst die Kopffarbe Risikoverhalten und Aufmerksamkeit bei der Gouldamadine?. 2017

Duration of research project: 2 months, Grant value (£): 4800, Liverpool John Moores University, David McIlroy (PI), Personality and Personal Development Planning. 2014

Award:

Association of Species Protection, Bird Protection & Bird Breeding (AZ), Leopold Keidel medal in gold. 2021

Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, Smithsonian Research Associate. 2009

Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, Smithsonian Research Associate. 2006

Conference organisation:

Chair of Organising Committee, European Conference on Behavioural Biology, https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/conferences/ECBB. 2018

Organiser, Understanding declines in the Rusty blackbird (Euphagus carolinus): An indicator of wooded wetland health. 2007

Organiser, Research and Captive Propagation in Birds. 1999

Public engagement:

Public talk or lecture, aviculturists, invited speaker, conference takes place every three years, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, public talk about bird breeding and science to aviculturists. 2017

Public talk or lecture, aviculturists, invited speaker, monthly meetings take place with changing speakers, Liverpool, public talk about nutrition in birds to aviculturists. 2015

Public talk or lecture, aviculturists, invited speaker, Quarterly meetings take place, Hallingbury, public talk about nutrition in birds to aviculturists. 2015

Public talk or lecture, aviculturists, invited speaker, Quarterly meetings take place with changing speakers, Bramley, Public talk about nutrition in birds to aviculturists. 2015

External PGR examinations performed:

PhD, University of Cambridge, A critical evaluation of neophobia in corvids: causes, consequences and conservation implications. 2016

PhD, University of Birmingham, COMPARATIVE SENSORY & COGNITIVE ADAPTATIONS FOR EXPLORATORY LEARNING IN PARROTS & HUMANS. 2012

PhD, University of Southern Mississippi, Information Acquisition and Sociality among Migratory Birds. 2010

External PGR Supervision - completed students:

PhD, University of Manchester, Influence of kinship, social bonds and genetics on animal social structure. 2015

PhD, University of Lausanne. 2013

PhD, University of Lausanne, Learning, memory and sleep in birds. 2013

PhD, University of Southern Mississippi. 2010

External collaboration:

Roger Wilkinson, North of England Zoological Society, Chester Zoo. 2011

Susanne Shultz, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester. 2011

Andrew J. King, College of Science, Swansea University. 2010

Christopher G. Guglielmo, Dept. of Biology, University of Western Ontario, Canada. 2008

Anna Nilsson, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis Department of Biology University of Oslo. 2007

Keith Hobson, Canadian Wildlife Service, Saskatoon, Canada. 2005

Michael Romero, Dept. of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA. 2005

Russell Greenberg, Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, Washington, DC, USA. 2005

Paul B. Hamel, USDA, Forest Service, Mississippi, USA. 2003

Hans Winkler, Konrad-Lorenz Institute for Comparative Ethology, Vienna, Austria. 1994

External committees:

International Rusty Blackbird Technical Working Group, Co-chair, Steering Committee. 2011

University of Southern Mississippi, Invited external supervisor, PhD committee. 2010

Teaching qualification:

PGCert. 2010

Membership of professional bodies:

German Zoological Society, member. 2007

European Ornithological Union, member. 1997

German Ornithological Society, Member. 1992

German Ethological Society, Member. 1990

Fellowships:

Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, Washington DC, Smithsonian Fellowship. 2005

Max Planck Institution, Postdoctoral fellowship. 1999

German Science Foundations, Postdoctoral fellowship. 1997

German Science Foundation, PhD fellowship. 1993

Other Professional Activity:

participation in a project to outline a minimum set of competencies for scientific editors led by the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Canada..