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Effects of experience on agonistic behavior among American goldfinches
1Field Station, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Saukville, WI 53080, U.S.A.
Abstract:
I investigated the effect of a winning or losing experience on the outcome of an individual's next aggressive encounter among captive American Goldfinches (Carduelis tristis ). Aggressive encounters occurring over access to a feeder were videotaped during the winter of 1985-1986. Both dominants and subordinates were more likely to win their next encounter after a win than after a loss. Individuals were more likely to initiate their next encounter and use higher risk displays after a win than after a loss.
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