Premium
Systematic changes in gaping during the ontogeny of pecking in ring doves ( Streptopelia risoria )
Author(s) -
Deich James D.,
Tankoos Jenine,
Balsam Peter D.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
developmental psychobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1098-2302
pISSN - 0012-1630
DOI - 10.1002/dev.420280303
Subject(s) - pecking order , prehensile tail , dove , beak , ontogeny , streptopelia , biology , psychology , zoology , developmental psychology , anatomy , ecology , endocrinology , political science , law
Abstract Food pecking in the ring dove is a skilled prehensile response that is similar to, but simpler than, many other prehensile responses. Previous work has shown that this response is initially poorly executed and requires experience for its accurate direction and coordination. The response involves two components: the thrusting of the bird's head toward food, and the opening and closure of the beak around food. Here, this second component, called gape, is followed through development with a precise measurement system. Four squabs moved through a similar sequence of three gape topographies, each of which is more efficient in picking up seed, during development. The present outcome, together with other work, argues for a substantial contribution of experience with pecking to the development of food pecking. We discuss the implications of these findings for understanding the ontogeny of motor control and for understanding how experience affects behavioral development. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.