AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Differences in Taste Preference between Red-Winged Blackbirds and European Starlings

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1990
Authors:Espaillat, JE, J. Mason, R
Journal:The Wilson Bulletin
Volume:102
Issue:2
Date Published:1990
ISBN Number:00435643
Keywords:Agelaius, Agelaius phoeniceus, Icteridae, Sturnidae, Sturnus, Sturnus vulgaris, Turdidae, Turdus, Turdus iliacus, Turdus maximus, Turdus merula
Abstract:Consumption of biologically relevant taste stimuli (NaCl, D-fructose, citric acid, tannic acid, L-alanine) by male and female European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) and male Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) were examined in one-bottle tests. Male starlings showed greater avidity for fructose than females, and both males and females exhibited greater avidity for fructose than male Red-winged Blackbirds. In addition, male starlings consumed more citric acid than either female starlings or male Red-winged Blackbirds. For both species, high consumption of NaCl (relative to consumption of other tastes) and low consumption of tannic acid were consistent with data reported for other birds. High consumption of L-alanine by both species (with highest consumption exhibited by male Starlings) suggests sensitivity to and preference for free amino acids. We speculate that one mechanism for inter- and intra-specific differences in food selection under field conditions may be differences in taste sensitivity.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/4162866
Short Title:The Wilson Bulletin
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith