Preferences among stimulus matches in the pigeon

Three pigeons were trained to peck two to five illuminated response keys. A peck to any of the keys changed the stimulus on the key. When all keys showed the same stimulus (i.e., a stimulus match), an additional key was illuminated with white light. A peck on this key produced three-second access to grain, a three-second intertrial interval, and the next trial. For most sessions, no particular stimulus match was required. Although there were often several stimuli available, each bird preferred a particular stimulus match. With up to 12 stimuli available, birds matched a particular stimulus 60% to 100% of the time.