In this thesis I discuss (1) the importance of status-age variations in the foraging behavior of individuals within a flock and (2) cultural transmission of foraging information among Gray-breasted Jays (Aphelocoma ultramarina), a cooperative breeder. Results of the experiments suggest that (1) subordinates are less successful in certain foraging situations than dominants, (2) the foraging preferences of young birds are not as defined as those of adults, (3) subadults obtain foraging information from adult flock members, and (4) older subordinates may not change their established preferences as easily as dominants (or younger birds) even when a cost to that preference is introduced. I suggest that, at least in this cooperative breeder, the flock provides a valuable source of environmental information.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/276909 |
| Date | January 1988 |
| Creators | McKean, Laurie Moore, 1955- |
| Contributors | Russell, Stephen M. |
| Publisher | The University of Arizona. |
| Source Sets | University of Arizona |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text, Thesis-Reproduction (electronic) |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. |
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