The dopamine D1 receptor subtype has been implicated in drug reward processes in mammals. Two experiments investigated whether dose-dependent differences in cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP) would be obtained in an avian species and whether these cocaine effects were mediated by the dopamine D1 antagonist R(+/-)-SCH23390. In Experiment 1, male birds were given intraperitoneal injections of 1, 3, 10, or 30 mg/kg of cocaine hydrochloride, paired with a chamber that contained distinct visual cues. On alternate days, they received saline paired with a chamber containing different visual cues. A CPP test was given after four pairings of cocaine with the distinct chamber. In Experiment 2, 0.0025, 0.025, or 0.25 mg/kg of SCH 23390 or saline was administered 15 min prior to cocaine (3 mg/kg) and placement into the least preferred chamber. CPP was observed at 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg doses of cocaine but not at 30 mg/kg or saline. All doses of SCH 23390 attenuated cocaine-induced CPP. The findings suggest that cocaine administration results in a dose-dependent CPP, and that similar with mammals, it may be mediated by D1 receptors in an avian species. Thus, the avian species may be a beneficial comparative model for drug studies, especially those involving visual cue mechanisms of drug reward.