A [[mating dance]] may be used as an example. Many species of [[birds]] engage in a specific series of elaborate movements, usually by a brightly colored [[male]]. How well they perform the "dance" is then used by [[females]] of the species to judge their fitness as a potential [[mate]]. The key [[stimulus]] is typically the presence of the female.
Although fixed action patterns are most common in lessanimals evolvedwith organismssimpler cognitive capabilities, humans also demonstrate fixed action patterns. For example, infants grasp strongly with their hands as a response to tactile stimulus. This is thought to be a [[vestigial|vestigial mechanism]] where when threatened by a predator a young primate would grab on to a parent's fur so the parent could climb to safety without having to hold its child. See also [[reflex action]]
Fixed action pattern is used in biology to classify ethology
Another good example of Fixeda Action PatternFAP is within the red-bellied stickleback (fish). They are naturally angry at a specific stimulus, which is other red-bellied sticklebacks. Anything red creates this FAP. The proximate response to this is that due to the stimuli, a nerve sends a signal to attack that red item. The ultimate responsecause isof this behavior stems from the fact that the stickleback needs the area in which it is living for either habitat, food, mating with other sticklebacks, or other purposes. This interaction was studied by [[Niko Tinbergen]].
