Katy Willcox
@katywillcox.bsky.social
Kathryn (Katy) Willcox | PhD @ecobird.bsky.social | social environments <-> bird behaviour and cognition | 🐥🐦🧠🦦🐝 | ❤️ welfare & outreach | also 🎶🎨🎮🎲👩🍳🌿 | she/her
Pinned
Katy Willcox
@katywillcox.bsky.social
· Nov 25
Hi Bluesky 👋 I’m a PhD student @ecobird.bsky.social investigating the effects of early-life social environments on the behaviour and cognition of birds 🐦🧠 Follow for cute chick pics, stay for cool science 🐤😎
Reposted by Katy Willcox
Round 1 of our training and travel grant is open!
Grants up to £500 are available to support the training and development of PhD students and postgraduate research assistants.
Send us your application by 25 January ⏰
Grants up to £500 are available to support the training and development of PhD students and postgraduate research assistants.
Send us your application by 25 January ⏰
January 23, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Round 1 of our training and travel grant is open!
Grants up to £500 are available to support the training and development of PhD students and postgraduate research assistants.
Send us your application by 25 January ⏰
Grants up to £500 are available to support the training and development of PhD students and postgraduate research assistants.
Send us your application by 25 January ⏰
Reposted by Katy Willcox
🐶❄️☀️
We’re studying how dogs are affected by cold and heat stress. If you have a dog, please consider completing our anonymous online questionnaire (15–30 min) or sharing it with others who might be interested.
👉 survey.vetmeduni.ac.at/index.php/83...
#DogWelfare #CitizenScience
We’re studying how dogs are affected by cold and heat stress. If you have a dog, please consider completing our anonymous online questionnaire (15–30 min) or sharing it with others who might be interested.
👉 survey.vetmeduni.ac.at/index.php/83...
#DogWelfare #CitizenScience
January 20, 2026 at 11:10 AM
🐶❄️☀️
We’re studying how dogs are affected by cold and heat stress. If you have a dog, please consider completing our anonymous online questionnaire (15–30 min) or sharing it with others who might be interested.
👉 survey.vetmeduni.ac.at/index.php/83...
#DogWelfare #CitizenScience
We’re studying how dogs are affected by cold and heat stress. If you have a dog, please consider completing our anonymous online questionnaire (15–30 min) or sharing it with others who might be interested.
👉 survey.vetmeduni.ac.at/index.php/83...
#DogWelfare #CitizenScience
Reposted by Katy Willcox
Perhaps the question is not whether cows can use tools,
but why it took us so long to notice.
Maybe because we continue to underestimate the minds of the animals we eat.
Veronika is here to remind us of our biases
but why it took us so long to notice.
Maybe because we continue to underestimate the minds of the animals we eat.
Veronika is here to remind us of our biases
January 19, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Perhaps the question is not whether cows can use tools,
but why it took us so long to notice.
Maybe because we continue to underestimate the minds of the animals we eat.
Veronika is here to remind us of our biases
but why it took us so long to notice.
Maybe because we continue to underestimate the minds of the animals we eat.
Veronika is here to remind us of our biases
Reposted by Katy Willcox
There is still some time to submit for our Special Collection on social cognition and anthropogenic environments! We are looking forward to hear from you! link.springer.com/collections/... Please do get in touch if you have any questions.
#openaccess #socialcognition
#openaccess #socialcognition
Excited to announce that Eli Garcia-Pelegrin and I are co-editing a special collection for Animal Cognition on "Social Cognition in a Human World". Do you study how urbanization, pollution, heat stress, fragmentation, ... affects cognition? We want to hear from you! link.springer.com/collections/...
Social Cognition in a Human World
As humanity exploits and reshapes the environment to accommodate for development and population growth demands, animals need to adapt to these human-induced ...
link.springer.com
January 20, 2026 at 9:13 AM
There is still some time to submit for our Special Collection on social cognition and anthropogenic environments! We are looking forward to hear from you! link.springer.com/collections/... Please do get in touch if you have any questions.
#openaccess #socialcognition
#openaccess #socialcognition
Reposted by Katy Willcox
Cow Tools!
We have lived alongside cows for nearly 10,000 years.
We breed them and exploit them
It is now, only now, that we have discovered THEY CAN USE TOOLS
Here I describe our study
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... in @currentbiology.bsky.social
with @auersperga.bsky.social
We have lived alongside cows for nearly 10,000 years.
We breed them and exploit them
It is now, only now, that we have discovered THEY CAN USE TOOLS
Here I describe our study
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... in @currentbiology.bsky.social
with @auersperga.bsky.social
January 19, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Cow Tools!
We have lived alongside cows for nearly 10,000 years.
We breed them and exploit them
It is now, only now, that we have discovered THEY CAN USE TOOLS
Here I describe our study
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... in @currentbiology.bsky.social
with @auersperga.bsky.social
We have lived alongside cows for nearly 10,000 years.
We breed them and exploit them
It is now, only now, that we have discovered THEY CAN USE TOOLS
Here I describe our study
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... in @currentbiology.bsky.social
with @auersperga.bsky.social
Reposted by Katy Willcox
It would be totally AMAZING though if NSF one year just was like “all of our science bets are on quail”
January 15, 2026 at 9:22 PM
It would be totally AMAZING though if NSF one year just was like “all of our science bets are on quail”
New paper out!
Early-life social instability increases aggression in chickens, but does not affect response inhibition 🐤
We discuss what this means for developmental links between social environments, cognition, and social behaviour, highlighting strong context dependence
Full text: rdcu.be/eYOzC
Early-life social instability increases aggression in chickens, but does not affect response inhibition 🐤
We discuss what this means for developmental links between social environments, cognition, and social behaviour, highlighting strong context dependence
Full text: rdcu.be/eYOzC
January 13, 2026 at 2:37 PM
New paper out!
Early-life social instability increases aggression in chickens, but does not affect response inhibition 🐤
We discuss what this means for developmental links between social environments, cognition, and social behaviour, highlighting strong context dependence
Full text: rdcu.be/eYOzC
Early-life social instability increases aggression in chickens, but does not affect response inhibition 🐤
We discuss what this means for developmental links between social environments, cognition, and social behaviour, highlighting strong context dependence
Full text: rdcu.be/eYOzC
Reposted by Katy Willcox
New pre print out!
Last chapter of my PhD looking at nightjar movement with environmental conditions.
Super proud of this one, I love the interactions and thinking about what else we could do.
www.authorea.com/users/101810...
Last chapter of my PhD looking at nightjar movement with environmental conditions.
Super proud of this one, I love the interactions and thinking about what else we could do.
www.authorea.com/users/101810...
January 13, 2026 at 6:29 AM
New pre print out!
Last chapter of my PhD looking at nightjar movement with environmental conditions.
Super proud of this one, I love the interactions and thinking about what else we could do.
www.authorea.com/users/101810...
Last chapter of my PhD looking at nightjar movement with environmental conditions.
Super proud of this one, I love the interactions and thinking about what else we could do.
www.authorea.com/users/101810...
Reposted by Katy Willcox
Proc B with @sampassmore.bsky.social! We used simulations to explore the innovation strategies of speed climbers 🧗♀️ Innovation is higher among slower athletes and lower when the population size is larger, and the overall balance of innovation and copying appears to be suboptimal 🔗 bit.ly/499QjZM
Simulation-based inference with deep learning suggests speed climbers combine innovation and copying to improve performance
Abstract. In the Olympic sport of speed climbing, athletes compete to reach the top of a 15 m wall as quickly as possible. Since the standardization of the
bit.ly
January 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Proc B with @sampassmore.bsky.social! We used simulations to explore the innovation strategies of speed climbers 🧗♀️ Innovation is higher among slower athletes and lower when the population size is larger, and the overall balance of innovation and copying appears to be suboptimal 🔗 bit.ly/499QjZM
Reposted by Katy Willcox
✨New paper✨
How do juvenile ravens find social groups?
We describe how juvenile common ravens, who have left their natal territories seeking to join non-breeder flocks, use space with respect to other birds, and discuss what this means for social integration.
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
How do juvenile ravens find social groups?
We describe how juvenile common ravens, who have left their natal territories seeking to join non-breeder flocks, use space with respect to other birds, and discuss what this means for social integration.
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
January 11, 2026 at 2:34 PM
✨New paper✨
How do juvenile ravens find social groups?
We describe how juvenile common ravens, who have left their natal territories seeking to join non-breeder flocks, use space with respect to other birds, and discuss what this means for social integration.
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
How do juvenile ravens find social groups?
We describe how juvenile common ravens, who have left their natal territories seeking to join non-breeder flocks, use space with respect to other birds, and discuss what this means for social integration.
www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
Had a nice break seeing friends, family, and (most importantly) Tabitha
January 6, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Had a nice break seeing friends, family, and (most importantly) Tabitha
Reposted by Katy Willcox
📢📢PhD opportunity!
We are looking for enthusiastic researchers to develop a project looking at the ontogeny of migratory behaviour!
Deadline for expression of interest: 8 February 2026
👉Check details here: drive.google.com/file/d/1wow2...
#migration #ornithology #GPStracking
We are looking for enthusiastic researchers to develop a project looking at the ontogeny of migratory behaviour!
Deadline for expression of interest: 8 February 2026
👉Check details here: drive.google.com/file/d/1wow2...
#migration #ornithology #GPStracking
January 6, 2026 at 11:32 AM
📢📢PhD opportunity!
We are looking for enthusiastic researchers to develop a project looking at the ontogeny of migratory behaviour!
Deadline for expression of interest: 8 February 2026
👉Check details here: drive.google.com/file/d/1wow2...
#migration #ornithology #GPStracking
We are looking for enthusiastic researchers to develop a project looking at the ontogeny of migratory behaviour!
Deadline for expression of interest: 8 February 2026
👉Check details here: drive.google.com/file/d/1wow2...
#migration #ornithology #GPStracking
Reposted by Katy Willcox
A male rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) in winter plumage.
Ptarmigan is from Gaelic 'tarmachan' meaning "croaker". The p- was added when people mistakenly assumed it was a Greek word.
A bird forever warning people: "A werewolf!" (just in case of werewolves).
Ptarmigan is from Gaelic 'tarmachan' meaning "croaker". The p- was added when people mistakenly assumed it was a Greek word.
A bird forever warning people: "A werewolf!" (just in case of werewolves).
December 6, 2025 at 1:46 PM
A male rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) in winter plumage.
Ptarmigan is from Gaelic 'tarmachan' meaning "croaker". The p- was added when people mistakenly assumed it was a Greek word.
A bird forever warning people: "A werewolf!" (just in case of werewolves).
Ptarmigan is from Gaelic 'tarmachan' meaning "croaker". The p- was added when people mistakenly assumed it was a Greek word.
A bird forever warning people: "A werewolf!" (just in case of werewolves).
Reposted by Katy Willcox
Hope 😍
The United Kingdom is coming back to Erasmus+ 🇪🇺🇬🇧
We have concluded negotiations for the United Kingdom’s association to Erasmus+ in 2027, making further steps in our renewed EU-UK Strategic Partnership.
More ↓
link.europa.eu/vf3vJk
We have concluded negotiations for the United Kingdom’s association to Erasmus+ in 2027, making further steps in our renewed EU-UK Strategic Partnership.
More ↓
link.europa.eu/vf3vJk
December 17, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Hope 😍
Christmas came early, my "big chicken paper" has been accepted 🎉 very grateful to everyone involved and looking forward to sharing it soon
December 10, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Christmas came early, my "big chicken paper" has been accepted 🎉 very grateful to everyone involved and looking forward to sharing it soon
Reposted by Katy Willcox
Tighter visa rules will cost UK up to £10.8bn giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
December 9, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Tighter visa rules will cost UK up to £10.8bn giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Reposted by Katy Willcox
JOB ALERT! 🦜🔭🌿
Are you passionate about #Birds, #Ecology, #Fieldwork, #Research?
The University of Salford is looking for a #ResearchTechnician to assist with ecological monitoring of #Ringneckedparakeets in Manchester, UK.
More info & how to apply 👇
Hurry! Closes 15 Dec
@salforduni.bsky.social
Are you passionate about #Birds, #Ecology, #Fieldwork, #Research?
The University of Salford is looking for a #ResearchTechnician to assist with ecological monitoring of #Ringneckedparakeets in Manchester, UK.
More info & how to apply 👇
Hurry! Closes 15 Dec
@salforduni.bsky.social
December 5, 2025 at 2:25 PM
JOB ALERT! 🦜🔭🌿
Are you passionate about #Birds, #Ecology, #Fieldwork, #Research?
The University of Salford is looking for a #ResearchTechnician to assist with ecological monitoring of #Ringneckedparakeets in Manchester, UK.
More info & how to apply 👇
Hurry! Closes 15 Dec
@salforduni.bsky.social
Are you passionate about #Birds, #Ecology, #Fieldwork, #Research?
The University of Salford is looking for a #ResearchTechnician to assist with ecological monitoring of #Ringneckedparakeets in Manchester, UK.
More info & how to apply 👇
Hurry! Closes 15 Dec
@salforduni.bsky.social
Today in end-of-phd-brain: had a hyper-realistic dream where I came up with some great research ideas for an animal that, unfortunately, only existed in that dream
December 5, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Today in end-of-phd-brain: had a hyper-realistic dream where I came up with some great research ideas for an animal that, unfortunately, only existed in that dream
Reposted by Katy Willcox
Reposted by Katy Willcox
Love looking through all the submissions on the Gulls Eating Stuff project website. Getting pretty good coverage of the UK too!
If you have photos of gulls eating stuff, you can submit them at citsci.org/projects/gul.... Thanks to @scistarter.bsky.social for promoting the project too :).
If you have photos of gulls eating stuff, you can submit them at citsci.org/projects/gul.... Thanks to @scistarter.bsky.social for promoting the project too :).
December 2, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Love looking through all the submissions on the Gulls Eating Stuff project website. Getting pretty good coverage of the UK too!
If you have photos of gulls eating stuff, you can submit them at citsci.org/projects/gul.... Thanks to @scistarter.bsky.social for promoting the project too :).
If you have photos of gulls eating stuff, you can submit them at citsci.org/projects/gul.... Thanks to @scistarter.bsky.social for promoting the project too :).
Reposted by Katy Willcox
This #GivingTuesday please consider donating to @abcmicrogrants.bsky.social to support undergraduate students globally!! 🫶🗺️
Help us make #animalbehaviourresearch more inclusive 🐝🐝🐝
Sign up to be a monthly donor, or make a one time contribution using this link
opencollective.com/animal-behav...
Help us make #animalbehaviourresearch more inclusive 🐝🐝🐝
Sign up to be a monthly donor, or make a one time contribution using this link
opencollective.com/animal-behav...
December 2, 2025 at 5:18 AM
This #GivingTuesday please consider donating to @abcmicrogrants.bsky.social to support undergraduate students globally!! 🫶🗺️
Help us make #animalbehaviourresearch more inclusive 🐝🐝🐝
Sign up to be a monthly donor, or make a one time contribution using this link
opencollective.com/animal-behav...
Help us make #animalbehaviourresearch more inclusive 🐝🐝🐝
Sign up to be a monthly donor, or make a one time contribution using this link
opencollective.com/animal-behav...
Reposted by Katy Willcox
A huge congrats to Dr Jai Lake! Jai just gave his exit seminar at Macquarie on why lizards are social. To be slightly more precise, his PhD was about the mechanisms underlying sociality. Papers are submitted and in prep! Watch this space. Jai was cosupervised by Geoff While at Univ. Tasmania.
November 25, 2025 at 2:30 AM
A huge congrats to Dr Jai Lake! Jai just gave his exit seminar at Macquarie on why lizards are social. To be slightly more precise, his PhD was about the mechanisms underlying sociality. Papers are submitted and in prep! Watch this space. Jai was cosupervised by Geoff While at Univ. Tasmania.
Reposted by Katy Willcox
Earlier today, I was notified that someone was at my door.
This is who it was:
This is who it was:
November 21, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Earlier today, I was notified that someone was at my door.
This is who it was:
This is who it was:
New results means new punny titles
November 19, 2025 at 5:27 PM
New results means new punny titles
Reposted by Katy Willcox
New study on the way 📣
I am currently raising cute quails 🐥 to study the effects of enrichment on the development of the brain, cognition, behaviour, and health! I am learning loads of new skills @ecobird.bsky.social
I am currently raising cute quails 🐥 to study the effects of enrichment on the development of the brain, cognition, behaviour, and health! I am learning loads of new skills @ecobird.bsky.social
November 17, 2025 at 11:43 AM
New study on the way 📣
I am currently raising cute quails 🐥 to study the effects of enrichment on the development of the brain, cognition, behaviour, and health! I am learning loads of new skills @ecobird.bsky.social
I am currently raising cute quails 🐥 to study the effects of enrichment on the development of the brain, cognition, behaviour, and health! I am learning loads of new skills @ecobird.bsky.social