Article Abstract:
Astudy was done on Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) to test the claim that color bands used in identifying birds affect the dominance status of birds by giving incorrect cues of fitness or behavioral intent. The results showed that band colors did not influence dominance status, so that it is still possible to use band colors even if they are colors used by birds as biological cues. If band colors are suspected to affect experimental results, they can be assigned at random to facilitate post hoc analysis of their effects.
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Article Abstract:
The dominance hypothesis to explain differential migrations in birds was tested in Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis). The study tried to determine if dominance status within age-sex classes was related to the distance that juncos migrated into the winter range. The results showed that dominant juncos were not the ones that wintered closest to the breeding grounds, which are the most favorable grounds. This disproves a key prediction of the dominance hypothesis. Other possible interpretations of the results are discussed.
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Article Abstract:
Multiple colour bands have no detectable short-term impact on six characteristic foraging behaviours in recently captured White-breasted Nuthatches. However, this does not exclude the possibility of serious long-term injury as seen in other species. It is suggested that controlled aviary studies of short-term effects are undertaken before researchers begin large-scale studies using plastic colour bands.
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