Mathilde Delacoux

Pigeons use gaze-following to detect predator location in flocks, responding to the duration of conspecific gaze rather than other cues.

This study shows that pigeons are more likely to follow gaze when multiple demonstrators look in the same direction, indicating the influence of collective context on social cognition.

The paper tracks pigeon flock behavior during predator simulations to show how foveal vision is used for detection and escape, finding earlier foveation correlates with vigilance and faster escape responses.