Behavioural Ecology Group
The Behavioural Ecology Group (BHE) studies the causes and consequences of animal behaviour with a focus on social contexts. We provide education in Behavioural Ecology and Applied Animal Behaviour.
Our research focuses on:
• Behavioural Ecology
• Applied Animal Behaviour
• Behaviour of Companion Animals
Head of BHE Group
MSc projects
Do you want to do your thesis at our Behavioural ecology group?
We offer a variety of research topics ranging from sexual selection to animal welfare on both wild and domestic animals.
We also encourage students to bring their own ideas for thesis topics. For more information please contact marc.naguib-at-wur.nl
Courses
Education by the Behaviour Ecology Group covers the whole field of animal behaviour, including basic behavioural mechanisms, behavioural ecology, applied animal behaviour and life history decisions. Our courses are directed at both Biology and Animal Science students.
Research
The main expertise and research focus of the BHE group is on social behaviour, involving a range of projects that specifically address the causes as well the consequences of key aspects of social behaviour.
Latest News
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Male dogs often neutered without advice from behavioural experts
- Male dogs are more frequently neutered than females to influence their behaviour. However, some dogs exhibit undesired behaviour such as aggression,... -
Dawn song of the male great tit attracts other males rather than females
- Female great tits (Parus major) stay clear of territories with better singing males while competing males are attracted to the territories with better... -
Which benefits come with caring for a cat or dog?
- Wageningen University & Research is contributing to international research with the objective of revealing underlying factors that contribute to... -
#1 On my way to Brazil
- By: Melindy Dirks · 17 January 2019 Category: Master thesis Melindy Dirks After months of preparation, the adventure will finally start today!... -
INREF grants funding for project “Beyond Anthropocene Pressures: convivialconservation integrating ECOlogy and ECOnomics along the Nile and its wetlands(Eco2)”.
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Zebra finches tweet when it’s hot, but not to warn their offspring
- Zebra finches produce calls under high temperatures. Research by Macquarie University and Wageningen University & Research has shown that this is...
Latest publications
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Permissive parenting of the dog associates with dog overweight in a survey among 2,303 Dutch dog owners
PLoS ONE 15 (2020)8. - ISSN 1932-6203 - p. e0237429 - e0237429. -
Brain size does not predict learning strategies in a serial reversal learning test
Journal of Experimental Biology 223 (2020). - ISSN 0022-0949 - 8 p. -
Bumblebees land remarkably well in red-blue greenhouse LED light conditions
Biology Open 9 (2020)6. - ISSN 2046-6390 -
Relative brain size is predicted by the intensity of intrasexual competition in frogs
American Naturalist 196 (2020)2. - ISSN 0003-0147 - p. 169 - 179. -
Measuring mate preferences : Absolute and comparative evaluation of potential partners
Animal Behaviour 167 (2020). - ISSN 0003-3472 - p. 65 - 76.