Scientist observing red-winged blackbirds in a marsh.

Decoding Animal Behavior: How to Study the Wild Kingdom

Avery Sinclair in Science & Nature August 2025 • 3 min read.

"From lab experiments to field observations, explore the fascinating world of animal behavior research and how scientists uncover the secrets of the animal kingdom."

For anyone fascinated by the animal kingdom, the driving question is always: Why do animals do what they do? The quest to understand animal behavior is a rewarding journey, starting with simple questions and evolving into detailed investigations. These investigations are often influenced by previous observations, raising even more complex questions and potential answers.

Take the red-winged blackbird, for example. It has been studied extensively, with early research focusing on how males defend their territories. Observations revealed that males keep other males out of specific nesting areas, leading to questions about the methods they use to protect their space.

This leads to the next crucial step: proposing potential answers, known as working hypotheses. Through background reading and preliminary observations, two possible explanations emerge such as the birds singing, or their striking red and yellow epaulets.

How Do Scientists Formulate Hypotheses About Animal Behavior?

Scientist observing red-winged blackbirds in a marsh.

The key is that each potential answer generates predictions that can be tested, forming the basis of a scientific hypothesis. Scientists then conduct studies to see if the results align with those predictions. This process, called hypothesis testing, often involves using multiple working hypotheses simultaneously.

To clarify these hypotheses, scientists use conditional scientific predictions, structured as "if-then" statements. For example:

If red-winged blackbird song defends territory, then males should sing when on their territory and not when away from it. Males unable to sing should struggle to hold their territories.
If red-winged blackbird epaulets defend territory, then males should display them when on their territory and not when away. Males lacking epaulets should struggle to hold their territories.

Once these testable predictions are established, the next step involves choosing a research design and statistical methods to test the predictions. The world of animal behavior research uses a range of methods to empirically test scientific hypotheses.

Why Understanding the 'Why' Matters

The study of animal behavior ultimately boils down to explaining why animals do what they do. The methods that are used produces valuable insights, there remains a vast amount that is either poorly understood or completely unknown. For those who find animal behavior fascinating, the most important point is that there are still many questions that needs answers.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/b978-0-12-809633-8.01233-4, Alternate LINK

Title: Experiment, Observation, And Modeling In The Lab And Field

Journal: Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior

Publisher: Elsevier

Authors: Ken Yasukawa

Published: 2019-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

How do scientists develop hypotheses about animal behavior, and what role do observations play in this process?

Scientists develop hypotheses about animal behavior through observation, background research, and preliminary studies. This leads to potential explanations that can be tested. For example, observing red-winged blackbirds led to hypotheses about the role of their songs and epaulets in defending territory. These hypotheses are then refined into testable predictions using 'if-then' statements, enabling scientists to design experiments and gather data to either support or refute their initial ideas.

Why is understanding the 'why' behind animal behavior important, and what does it imply about our current knowledge of the animal kingdom?

Understanding the 'why' behind animal behavior matters because it provides valuable insights into the complexities of the animal kingdom. While the methods used yield significant knowledge, there's still a lot that remains unknown or poorly understood. This ongoing quest to explain animal actions is a driving force for researchers and highlights the endless possibilities for new discoveries and deeper understanding.

How do scientists formulate testable predictions in animal behavior research, and what is the significance of 'if-then' statements?

To formulate testable predictions about animal behavior, scientists often use 'if-then' statements. For instance, regarding red-winged blackbirds: 'If red-winged blackbird song defends territory, then males should sing when on their territory and not when away from it. Males unable to sing should struggle to hold their territories.' Similarly, 'If red-winged blackbird epaulets defend territory, then males should display them when on their territory and not when away. Males lacking epaulets should struggle to hold their territories.' These conditional predictions allow for direct testing through observation and experimentation.

What methods are used to empirically test scientific hypotheses in the study of animal behavior?

The study of animal behavior uses a range of methods to empirically test scientific hypotheses. These include field observations, lab experiments, and statistical analyses. Field observations involve directly watching animals in their natural habitats to gather data on their behaviors. Lab experiments allow scientists to control variables and manipulate conditions to study specific behaviors in a controlled setting. Statistical methods are used to analyze the data collected and determine whether the results support or refute the hypotheses being tested.

How has studying red-winged blackbird territorial defense informed our understanding of animal behavior, and what further research could build upon these findings?

The study of red-winged blackbird territorial defense mechanisms, through observations that males keep other males out of specific nesting areas, has led to questions about the methods they use to protect their space. Hypotheses included the birds singing, or their striking red and yellow epaulets. Further research could explore the specific acoustic properties of their songs that deter rivals, or the exact visual signals conveyed by the epaulets, deepening our understanding of the nuances of animal communication and territorial behavior.