Overall dynamic body acceleration as an indicator of dominance in Homing Pigeons (Columba livia)

• DOI: 10.1111/ibi.13021
• Publication Date: 2021-09-28T08:49:10Z
• Authors: Rhianna L. Ricketts; Daniel W. E. Sankey; Bryce P. Tidswell; Joshua Brown; Joseph F. Deegan; Steven J. Portugal
• Keywords: Flock; Dominance hierarchy; Dominance (genetics); Homing (biology)

The benefits of dominance are well known and numerous, including first access to resources such as food, mates nesting sites. Less studied the potential costs associated with being dominant. Here, movement two flocks domestic Homing Pigeons Columba livia – measured via accelerometry loggers was recorded over a period 2 weeks, during which birds were confined their lofts. Movement then used calculate each individual's daily overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA, G ), can be proxy for energy expenditure. hierarchy determined group‐level antagonistic interactions, had significantly linear structure. most dominant bird within flock found move more than conspecifics on average, c . 39% individual next highest degree indicating possible cost possessing top rank hierarchy. Despite highly linear, this not case ODBA, suggesting that expenditure may reflective despotic These results show future use tool study fusion energetics behaviour.