Using video playback to investigate the social preferences of rooks, Corvus frugilegus
It is important for social animals to be able to discriminate between group members. Much is known about vocal social communication through auditory playback techniques; however, visual information may also be important for conspecific recognition in the absence of auditory cues. Within the visual channel both static and dynamic features may play important roles in […]
Eurasian jays, Garrulus glandarius, flexibly switch caching and pilfering tactics in response to social context
Corvids such as jays and ravens cache food for future consumption and can remember the location of caches that they have seen others make. Given the risk of caches being pilfered by observers, corvids limit opportunities for conspecifics to witness caching events. Faced with cache protection tactics, pilferers should also utilize tactics to maximize their […]
Voluntary food sharing in pinyon jays: the role of reciprocity and dominance
Food sharing offers a clear example of prosocial behaviour, in which one individual’s actions benefit another. Researchers have proposed a range of hypotheses that explain why food sharing may occur among unrelated individuals. Two such hypotheses, reciprocity and dominance, have been tested in many species, including fish, corvids, rats, bats and primates, showing that (1) […]