Observations were made in five aviaries to determine the role of compe
tition in roost site selection by captive Starlings Sturnus vulgaris.
Their behaviour in selecting perches in a simple roost ''tree'' indica
ted that (1) a dominance hierarchy exists in birds selecting roosting
locations, (2) the roost positions occupied are determined through com
petition, (3) higher and inner roost positions are preferred over othe
rs and (4) dominant Starlings tend to occupy these most preferred posi
tions.