Open Mirror Exploration
Objective: Assessment of magpie behavior and interactions with a mirror in an open room environment
Protocol Steps
Baseline trial setup
Replace the mirror with a grey, nonreflective plate in the 4 × 4-m room positioned in the middle of one wall at approximately 1.5-m distance from the wall
Note: This serves as a control condition before mirror testing
View evidence from paper
“After a baseline trial with the mirror replaced by a grey, nonreflective plate”
Mirror placement
Place a 55-cm wide by 40-cm high mirror on the ground, leaning against a pole, and slightly tilted. Position the mirror in the middle of one of the walls with about 1.5-m distance from the wall, allowing the birds to move around the mirror
Note: The tilted angle and distance from wall allow free movement around the mirror
View evidence from paper
“a mirror 55-cm wide and 40-cm high was placed on the ground, leaning against a pole, and slightly tilted. The position of the mirror was in the middle of one of the walls with about 1.5-m distance from the wall”
Test session execution
Conduct five test sessions with each bird. Allow the tested subject to move freely in the room during each session
Note: Five test sessions total per bird
View evidence from paper
“five test sessions of 30-min duration were given to each of the birds. The tested subject could move freely in the room”
Behavioral observation and recording
Observe the behavior of the birds from an adjacent room using a video system. Videotape all trials for later analysis
Note: Observation from adjacent room minimizes experimenter interference
View evidence from paper
“The behavior of the birds was observed from an adjacent room by means of a video system, and trials were videotaped”