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Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior logoLink to Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
. 1986 Jan;45(1):15–18. doi: 10.1901/jeab.1986.45-15

The matching law applies to wagtails' foraging in the wild

Alasdair Houston
PMCID: PMC1348207  PMID: 16812441

Abstract

Field data concerning the time budgets and foraging success of pied wagtails (Motacilla alba yarrelli, Gould) are reanalyzed. It is found that the data are well described by the generalized matching law, with a marked bias towards spending time on the territory. In this case matching is not the result of maximizing reward rate, but it remains possible that it results from an allocation of time that maximizes survival.

Keywords: matching, maximizing, time allocation, feeding rates, natural setting, foraging, wagtails

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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