Publication Type: | Journal Article |
Year of Publication: | 1980 |
Authors: | Barnard, CJ |
Journal: | Animal Behaviour |
Volume: | 28 |
Issue: | 2 |
Date Published: | 1980 |
ISBN Number: | 0003-3472 |
Keywords: | Passer, Passer domesticus, Passeridae |
Abstract: | One way in which the size of flocks of sparrows feeding on barley seed was found to be limited was through the attainment of an equilibrium flock size (EFS). The two most important factors influencing the EFS were the size of the densest patch of seed at a feeding site and seed density outside the patch. Birds appeared to arrive at random but to depart in response to a giving up time (GUT) the length of which was positively related to preceding interpeck intervals. The GUT correlates best with the average interval for the last three pecks before leaving. The rate of fighting per bird increased with flock size. Some birds remained behind when others left and appeared to be those whose low peck rate increased when other birds left. |
URL: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003347280800583 |
Short Title: | Animal Behaviour |
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