Links between personality traits and problem-solving performance in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata)

Consistent individual differences in behaviour across time or contexts
(i.e., personality types) have been found in many species and have
implications for fitness. Likewise, individual variation in cognitive
abilities has been shown to impact fitness. Cognition and personality are
complex, multidimensional traits. However, previous work has generally
examined the connection between a single personality trait and a single
cognitive ability, yielding equivocal results. Links between personality
and cognitive ability suggest that behavioural traits coevolved and
highlight their nuanced connections. Here we examined individuals’
performance on multiple personality tests and repeated problem-solving
tests (each measuring innovative performance). We assessed behavioural
traits (dominance, boldness, activity, risk-taking, aggressiveness, and
obstinacy) in 41 captive zebra finches. Birds’ scores for boldness and
obstinacy were consistent over two years. We also examined whether
personality correlated with problem-solving performance on repeated tests.
Our results indicate that neophobia, dominance, and obstinacy were related
to successful solving, and less dominant, more obstinate birds solved the
tasks quicker on average. Our results indicate the importance of examining
multiple measures over a long period. Future work that identifies links
between personality and innovation in non-model organisms may 
elucidate the coevolution of these two forms of individual differences.