Binary assessment of early approach-behaviour in the Japanese quail

Visually-elicited early approach-behaviour was studied in 1013 Japanese quail chicks (Coturnix coturnix japonica) by a newly developed, binary assessment procedure. This procedure was shown to be highly effective for identifying approach preferences and related indivisual differences in early approach-behaviour. Experimental results show that quail chicks exhibit approach-responses to a flashing light. Within various paired intensity-combinations of the tested intensity-range of approximately two log units, they consistently preferred the higher intensity stimulus.