Abstract
Both theory and previous studies suggest that nectarivores should learn to visit a flower in a new location more easily than to return to a flower in a position just visited. To test this hypothesis, both naive hand-reared juvenile and experienced adult bananaquits, Coereba flaveola were studied. Experimental results with experienced adults supported the hypothesis. Adults learned very quickly to switch to flowers in different locations (win-shift), but had difficulty learning to return to flowers in a position just visited (win-stay). However, naive juveniles learned win-shift and win-stay problems with equal facility. These results support the hypothesis, but suggest that bananaquits do not have a predetermined tendency to shift locations of flower visits. It suggests instead that their win-shift bias is a result of their previous experience.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call