[Social learning of optimal responding and producer-scrounger strategies in flocks of pigeons].
Social learning of optimal responding and producer-scrounger strategies in flocks of pigeons. This experiment evaluated the effect of varying the effort required in order to access food upon the acquisition of a novel response, and upon utilizing producer-scrounger strategies, in flocks of pigeons exposed to an expert conspecific. Flocks of naïve observers were exposed to a pigeon trained to open the seals on food deposits. The colors of the seals were correlated with differing required efforts. Later, the trained pigeon was removed while the color-effort correlation was maintained. The results showed that the observers acquired the response of opening the seals and that they executed it discriminatingly, responding in a greater proportion to the color that signaled the least required effort. They also assumed the roles of both producers and scroungers, which varied as a function of the composition of the group. The data obtained are congruent with prior findings regarding social learning, and also with the concepts proposed by the optimal foraging theory.
Cabrera
Rosalva
R
Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de México, Avenida de los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla CP 56090, Estada de México.
Durán
Angel
A
Nieto
Javier
J
D000818:Animals; D003116:Color; D010856:Columbidae / Q000502:physiology*; D003463:Cues; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D007100:Imitative Behavior; D007858:Learning