Sexual preferences in zebra finch (<i>Taeniopygia guttata</i>) males raised by two species (<i>Lonchura striata</i> and <i>Taeniopygia guttata</i>):I. A case of double imprinting

Examined whether dithering behavior is the result of sexual imprinting on 2 species. When young zebra finch males are exposed to their own species, as well as to Bengalese finches later on, they may court both species; the stability as well as the exclusiveness of the preference was examined. In Exp I, dithering males that had been tested for their preference when adults were subsequently either isolated or given experience with conspecifics. Afterward, the males were tested again. Although preferences appeared to have become more zebra finch directed, especially in males with experience with conspecifics, most males in both groups still courted both species, results indicating that the dithering phenomenon is persistent. In Exp II, whether dithering indicates a double preference or the lack of a specific preference was examined. Dithering males preferred both zebra finches and Bengalese finches over (unfamiliar) white zebra finches and over silverbills. Results suggest that dithering indicates imprinting on both zebra and Bengalese finches. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved