When subordinate booby chicks who have experienced many tosses are paired against neutral (inexperienced) chicks, they display little aggression, even when the neutral are smaller in size. The loser effect is long-lasting, indicating the chicks learn to accept the subordinate role. When dominant chicks who have recently won aggressive interactions are paired against neutral chicks, they are very aggressive even when the neutral are bigger. The pattern begins to dissipate after 4 hours.