Early viral immune challenge (EVIC) may alter adult behavioral phenotype of challenged individuals. Activation of an antiviral response via innate immune pathways initiate a cascade of potent inflammatory cytokines. Neonates have a limited ability to synthesize antibodies, thus innate mechanisms, like inflammation are crucial for viral clearance. This inflammatory response may program adult behaviors, impacting overall fitness. Our objective was to elucidate the interaction between EVIC and adult learning proficiency and neophobia in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). We challenged nestling zebra finches to a synthetic dsRNA virus, Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C). At 6 months post-hatch, birds were tested for neophobia and learning proficiency. Neophobia scores were determined by behavioral responses to 2 novel objects. Learning proficiency was determined by success in a novel foraging trial. Birds that had been challenged with Poly I:C had a lower overall probability of trial success, and the probability of trial success decreased as pre-trial weight increased. However, compared to control birds, challenged birds with larger pre-trial weights had a higher probability of trial success. I will also present my findings on the impact of EVIC on neophobia. As behavior and immunity often covary, and behavior can subsequently affect an individuals’ disease risk, this research has the potential to inform models of disease transmission dynamics as birds play a key role as viral hosts/amplifiers.