Investigating the relationship between heat stress and cognition in a wild animal

Research on the impact of global warming on wildlife is accumulating. However, one aspect has been understudied: how high temperatures may affect animal cognition. Here, I review existing evidence for heat-mediated cognitive impairment in animals, propose a framework for future research in wildlife, and apply it to investigate whether heat-mediated cognitive decline occurs in wild southern pied babblers (Turdoides bicolor). My research provides evidence for short-term heat-mediated cognitive impairment in adults and long-term impacts of high temperatures during development on both adult learning performance and reproductive success. These findings lay a foundation for integrating animal cognition in climate change studies.