Changes in the behaviour of the male zebra finch during a 12-hr day

Isolated male zebra finches show a daily cycle of locomotion similar to that of other birds. During a 12-hr day (07.00 to 19.00 hours) approximately 75 per cent of movement between perches occurs between 08.00 and 14.00 hours. Trends are also apparent in other behaviours, as assessed by the number of 30-s time units in which they are recorded. Soft call notes, singing, drinking and taking of sand and cuttlefish bone all decline during the day. Sitting still and preening rise. Despite these changes the associations between acts are similar at different times of day. In general the behaviours previously found to be associated with locomotion during the morning decline with it during the day, whereas those not associated with it rise.