Hen the graylag goose accidentally knocks an egg from her nest, she extends her neck and moves her beak and neck in a side-to-side motion to move the egg back until it is back in her nest. If the egg slips away during the process, she will still continue the motion and return to her nest, only to find that the egg is still gone. She will then repeat the behavior. Which of the following best describes this behavior?

Question

Henry Barr

Biology

4 May, 11:10

Hen the graylag goose accidentally knocks an egg from her nest, she extends her neck and moves her beak and neck in a side-to-side motion to move the egg back until it is back in her nest. If the egg slips away during the process, she will still continue the motion and return to her nest, only to find that the egg is still gone. She will then repeat the behavior. Which of the following best describes this behavior?

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Linda Li · Answer 1

The action is Fixed Action Pattern. It is a highly typecasted sequence of behaviors that, once begun, is usually carried to completion. It is triggered by a sign stimulus. The egg outside the nest is the stimulus. b It is performed virtually the same by all regardless of environmental conditions. Even if the egg is removed or slips away, she completes the behavior by returning an "imaginary" egg to the nest.