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Experimental Psychology (Russia)
2019. Vol. 12, no. 3, 135–141
doi:10.17759/exppsy.2019120310
ISSN: 2072-7593 / 2311-7036 (online)

The spontaneous tool use by raven in a zoo

353

M.A. Vancatova, T. Klima

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Abstract

Ravens are known for their ability to use tools, both in captivity and in natural conditions. This activity is connected mainly to nourishment-related or aggressive behaviour. At Košice Zoo, we carried out an observation of raven tool use behaviour, with the observation focused on contact with a human, that can be interpreted as social behaviour within the context of interspecies communication. In all observed cases (54) of raven tool use, this type of behaviour only manifested itself in an adult male. The raven was inclined to mostly choose longer tools for an attack. In roughly the same measure, the raven uses a new tool, or uses the same tool repeatedly. Concerning the working of the tool, a tool that has not been worked on predominates significantly in this case. In the case of working the tool, the male raven nibbles or shortens the sticks with his beak. A human in and of himself does not represent danger to ravens in a zoo, because the birds are in daily contact with zookeepers. In the given situation, it seems that male raven was aiming to establish contact with a visitor. The entire situation is more reminiscent of a game, rather than the protection of the nest. The whole situation of using the tool was spontaneous and in no case was prepared in advance or otherwise induced experimentally.

General Information

Keywords: Tool use, Common raven, Corvus corax, Interspecies communication, Social Behaviour

Journal rubric: Evolutionary and Comparative Psychology

Article type: scientific article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/exppsy.2019120310

Acknowledgements. We are grateful to the Director of the Kosice Zoo E. Kochner for the opportunity to conduct research. We are also grateful to Associate Professor Vaclav Vanchat for help with statistical data processing and consultation.

For citation: Vancatova M.A., Klima T. The spontaneous tool use by raven in a zoo. Eksperimental'naâ psihologiâ = Experimental Psychology (Russia), 2019. Vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 135–141. DOI: 10.17759/exppsy.2019120310. (In Russ., аbstr. in Engl.)

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Information About the Authors

M. A. Vancatova, PhD, Green Pilgrims organization, Prague, Czechia, e-mail: marina.vancatova@seznam.cz

T. Klima, Volunteer, Košice Zoo, Slovakia, e-mail: tomasklima1@gmail.com

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