do birds play?

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Araminta
Araminta's picture
do birds play?

Something that we do from time to time, just for fun or as a joke, is to interpret birds, by giving them human qualities and make it sound as if we could see their behaviour through our eyes, and the way we reason.

A recent post of some Cockatoos swinging on power lines, made me think a bit more about the idea “birds play for the simple reason to have fun” ?

I don’t believe there such thing as “play” in animals, (including humans). What might be seen as play, is purposely designed, and practicing desperately needed survival skills. The same applies for children, playing games is seriously preparing them for life. So, watching a Cockatoo swinging from power lines, is a skill he uses every day to survive, getting seeds hanging upside down. Think about your dog, throwing a ball, him catching or retrieving used to be a necessity for him to survive in the wild.

So, I would conclude, there is no such thing as play, it’s all simply practicing skills.

What do you think?

pacman
pacman's picture

agree with you

Peter

Woko
Woko's picture

Could there be an element of both enjoyment & learning survival skills in play? Humans play for the sheer enjoyment of the activity but also to develop/maintain muscle strength & joint flexibility. Far be it for me to suggest that sulphur-crested cockatoos are enjoying swinging on wires but far be it from me to suggest that they're not. If I come back as a sulphur-crested cockatoo I'll try to remember to let you know.

kathiemt
kathiemt's picture

I think there's an element of both.  I see our cats playing and while they might be practicing skills, they are defintely playing too. Same with dogs, I've seen dogs play a lot and having fun. And they have fun with their humans too.

So, with the birds, I don't see why they couldn't just be having fun, showing off, or whatever, even if practicing a much needed skill. I'm sure that cockatoo was enjoying hanging upside down from the wire - just as I've seen them having fun landing on branches that are being whipped around by the wind.  They appear to enjoy the challenge and the process.

Kathiemt
Selby, Victoria
 

darinnightowl
darinnightowl's picture

yes I agree with all of the above , there is a time and place to practic and play.

See it!  Hear it!

Mid-North Coast NSW

Araminta
Araminta's picture

Like you say Shirley, (BTW I said the same),play is an important part of every animal's development. Not only important, vital for their survival. My point exactly.

Now to the cow and calf.

The licking of the newborn animals has a purpose, it stimulates the blood flow, and in particular is part of the bonding and recognizing process between mother and child. The licking also puts the scent of the mother on the child, that way she will find her own offspring in a large heard. This is not part of any play, it is a vital part of the survival of a newly borne animal.

Nice, but not play.

I have done some more thinking about the topic. I wanted to find any activity humans would do that has “no purpose”, and could be classified as play. It came to my mind, that people going out on a Saturday, getting so drunk that they can’t walk anymore would be a senseless activity , seen by them as fun? It sure make no sense, and is of no advantage to survive. Next question was, do animals get drunk and take drugs to achieve the feeling of a high? So I googled, “yes, animals do take drugs to get high” I don’t want to elaborate on it now, but will give you a link later. Worth reading about.

M-L

Araminta
Araminta's picture

M-L

Holly
Holly's picture

What a fascinating subject! I think my opinion has been covered - play is generally a learning tool (whilst it is enjoyable too) or has some other benefit. e.g i can remember watching a parent and 2 juvenille Hobby's - the young were learning how to spar in flight (amazing to watch). It is likely they enjoyed themselves too.

 

Interesting article on animals and drugs. I have read reports of rainbow lorikeets getting drunk off fermented fruits in the NT and making general nusances of themselves...

 

pacman
pacman's picture

Are we saying that the animals are intentionally consuming beer, locoweed or whatever knowing that it will have an effect upon them? and wanting to experience that effect again?

Does Larry Lorikeet whistle to Lionel Lorikeet 'the flowers on the poinciana tree at 55 Leakers Lane have gone off, see you there about an hour before sunset, we'll get pi...... and then stir this street up?

I am not sure that the mission of cracked.com is to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth

Peter

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