Homing pigeon (Columba livia) dominance hierarchies are stable over time and resistant to perturbation

Abstract

Dominance hierarchies are a social dynamic common in many species, which help balance the costs and benefits of social living. Which individuals in a group occupy high ranking positions is influenced by a multitude of different intrinsic and/or extrinsic factors. While homing pigeons (Columba livia) have been a model system for their navigational abilities and flight dynamics, less is known about their dominance hierarchies and general social behaviour when not in flight. Here we document the dominance hierarchies in two closed populations of homing pigeons, and investigate the physiological factors associated with dominance rank, including body size, metabolic rate, personality, and iridescent plumage % reflectance. Measurements of body size and resting metabolic rate all positively correlated with dominance rank in accordance with the performance model of energetic management. Iridescent plumage % reflectance was negatively correlated with rank, suggesting a potential cost of dominance. Attempts to alter hierarchy structure through manipulations of body mass and feather iridescence were ineffective which hierarchy dynamics remaining stable throughout the perturbations and across measurement sessions.