A Comparative Analysis of Social Play in Birds

Abstract

SummaryAlthough social play is broadly distributed among mammals, it is infrequently encountered in other vertebrate taxa. It is, however, displayed in a fully realized and complex form in several groups of birds. Unambiguous accounts of social play have been recorded from thirteen species of parrots, seven species of corvids, and several hornbills and Eurasian babblers. We conducted an analysis of the avian play literature, testing for differences between avian taxa, as well as for correlations between play complexity, brain size, and age of first reproduction. Corvids were far more likely to show social object play than parrots. Corvids, parrots, and hornbills had larger relative brain sizes than would be predicted from a class-level allometric regression, but brain size was not associated with the complexity of social play among genera within taxa. Play complexity within parrots and corvids was, however, significantly associated with the age of first reproduction. The likelihood of complex social play appears to increase when delayed reproduction is accompanied by persisting relationships between adults and post-fledging juveniles. The adaptive significance of social play in birds thus offers intriguing parallels to similar analyses in mammals.

Social play as joint action: A framework to study the evolution of shared intentionality as an interactional achievement

“…Kakas and keas (Nestor notabilis and Nestor meridionalis) select prospective play partners with bouncy hopping toward them and initiate play with signals such as head cock and roll over displays (Diamond & Bond, 2003). Keas also further initiate play with signals such as stiff-leg walk, directed gaze, or vertically toss objects (sometimes in direction of the partner).…”

Social play in kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) with comparisons to kea (Nestor notabilis) and kaka (Nestor meridionalis)

“…Kea play was also more broadly distributed among age groups and far more likely to involve joint manipulation of play objects (Diamond & Bond, 2004). These contrasts in play behavior were generally consistent with differences between the species in the course of their development and their degree of sociality (Diamond & Bond, 2003). Keas take longer to reach sexual maturity than kakas and characteristically live in more complex social groupings that include extensive post-fledging associations between juveniles and adults.…”

“…Social play most often occurs between juveniles (Power, 2000), but different kinds of social play may have different players and developmental time courses (Bekoff, 1974;Fagen, 1981;Simmons & Mendelsohn, 1993). In birds, social play generally consists of play chasing, play fighting, play invitations, and social object play (Diamond & Bond, 2003.…”

“…It has been unambiguously described in only three of the 22 avian orders [Psittaciformes, Passeriformes (Corvidae and Timaliidae) and Bucerotiformes; Ortega & Bekoff, 1987;Diamond & Bond, 2003]. Among the parrots, corvids, and babblers, however, there are species that display such extensive and conspicuous social play as to be on a par with many mammals.…”

“…The irregular distribution of social play across taxonomic groupings suggests that the behavior may reflect an evolutionary response to particular ontogenetic and ecological circumstances. In the model proposed by Diamond & Bond (2003), birds would be predicted to engage in social play if (1) they belong to a relatively large-brained, altricial order, (2) they live in complex, stable social groups, and (3) they mature slowly and maintain an extended post-fledging association between juveniles and adults (Ortega & Bekoff, 1987;Skutch, 1987;Collar, 1997;Heinrich & Smolker, 1998;Power, 2000;Diamond & Bond, 2003).…”