Associative influence on the foraging behavior of pigeons (Columba livia).
In a laboratory simulation of foraging conditions, pigeons maintained ad lib weight by treadle pressing for lengthy periods of access to grain in a 24-hr live-in environment. Localized visual signals produced by treadle pressing evoked approach and pecking behavior if they signaled impending food presentation (Pavlovian first-order conditioning) or the presentation of an established signal for food (Pavlovian second-order conditioning). These findings imply a role for associative mechanisms in the control of foraging.
D000818:Animals; D001070:Appetitive Behavior; D001245:Association Learning; D010856:Columbidae; D003214:Conditioning, Classical; D003463:Cues; D007858:Learning