How can a flock’s social hierarchy affect which pigeons survive food shortages?

In a pigeon flock, feeding on the ground often leads to the development of a strongly defined social hierarchy, known as a peck order. This social structure dictates access to resources during competitive situations.1

When food is abundant, the hierarchy remains relatively stable, and direct conflict is rare as lower-ranking individuals typically step aside when confronted by those of higher rank. However, during periods of food shortage, this hierarchy directly impacts survival:12

• Supplanting: Dominant individuals frequently displace submissive ones to secure access to limited food supplies.1
• Conflict Avoidance: To avoid aggressive conflict, submissive pigeons often retreat, which results in them consuming less food than their higher-ranking counterparts.1
• Survival Outcomes: Because submissive birds are consistently prevented from accessing adequate nutrition, they are often the first to die during times of shortage, while higher-ranking members of the flock remain healthy.1

There is no evidence that this social behavior evolved as a mechanism for populations to self-regulate their numbers; rather, it is a direct consequence of individual competition within the flock.1