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Home ยป Rejection Thresholds for Citric Acid Solutions in Cowbirds, Starlings, and Red-wing Blackbirds
Rejection Thresholds for Citric Acid Solutions in Cowbirds, Starlings, and Red-wing Blackbirds
Publication Type: | Journal Article |
Year of Publication: | 1968 |
Authors: | Harriman, AE |
Journal: | American Midland Naturalist |
Volume: | 79 |
Issue: | 1 |
Date Published: | 1968 |
ISBN Number: | 00030031 |
Keywords: | Sturnidae, Sturnus, Sturnus vulgaris, Turdidae, Turdus, Turdus iliacus, Turdus maximus, Turdus merula |
Abstract: | The degree of rejection for acid manifested by birds in laboratory drinking preference tests may be correlated with the acidic components of the customarily selected natural foods. In a test of this possibility, Starlings, which feed on fruits and berries, were compared with two granivorous birds (Cowbirds and Red-wing Blackbirds) in a series of 2-bottle tests with citric acid concentrations opposite distilled water. The Starlings proved to be significantly less averse to drinking the test concentrations than were either the Cowbirds or the Red-wing Blackbirds. The findings suggest that taste factors may contribute to dietary selection in birds. |
URL: | http://www.jstor.org/stable/2423169 |
Short Title: | American Midland Naturalist |
Taxonomic name:
Sturnidae (Birds),
Sturnus (Birds),
Sturnus vulgaris (Birds),
Sturnus vulgaris (Birds),
Turdidae (Birds),
Turdus (Birds),
Turdus iliacus (Birds),
Turdus iliacus (Birds),
Turdus maximus (Birds),
Turdus merula (Birds),
Turdus Merula (Birds)
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical):
Ed Baker,
Katherine Bouton
Alice Heaton
Dimitris Koureas,
Laurence Livermore,
Dave Roberts,
Simon Rycroft,
Ben Scott,
Vince Smith