Summary
I tested the hypothesis that thrushes avoid certain species of fruits because of their taste. It was found that thrushes had significant preferences and aversions for the flavours of certain species of fruit. Several species of fruit which thrushes avoided contained identified toxins. It is speculated that some species of plants have evolved fruit toxins to prevent thrushes from consuming fruits and dispersing seeds to unfavourable habitats.
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Sorensen, A.E. Taste aversion and frugivore preference. Oecologia 56, 117–120 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00378226
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00378226