It is a blustery, cold day here. And although that is to be expected, our milder than average winter thus far has left us unaccustomed to these sort of days. But, typically, the Ravens do not seem to mind. On the drive home from lunch, they were everywhere, playing in the wind currents around buildings, hanging in the air, adjusting, tumbling.
But is it play? A while back on a trip to Iqaluit I made an observation of Facebook about the Ravens there playing in the wind. Scientific Chick (and really you should check out her blog for excellent analyses on various studies. Why you should care about them and what to take and to beware of in the results and methodology. Its a darn fine read) responded with an excellent question. "How do you know it's play?".
It is an excellent question. And in truth, I don't know that it is play. My response then, as now, is that it appears to be play. Like all the best questions it generates more questions.Chiefly for me, I have to ask "Well, if it isn't play what is it?"
Typically when I talk about Ravens playing in the wind they are riding wind currents on windy days. They will hang in one place, or soar up on the currents, dump the air out of their wings and drop down to catch the wind again. Some times they tumble, some times they peel away and ride the wind somewhere else. What would be the purpose of this behaviour?
I thought about that question on the way home today, and the way back to work after lunch. The route was dotted with the birds hovering, soaring, hanging in one spot. One of the key behaviours of Ravens this time of year is to find enough food. Food for energy to survive and to stay warm. It struck me that a possible explanation for what it might be, if not play, would be a way of effeciently looking for food, without expending much precious energy.
Height would give the Ravens a vantage point to look for food. If they could stay in one spot, high in the air, by using the power of the wind alone, they could find food at a low energy cost. What they would lose is covering a lot of ground, but they also move quickly between spots travelling with the wind. A possibility, and the only one that has come to me so far.
Still looks like play to me though.
Comments
6 responses
But then there are the times when you see them on the power lines, hanging upside down or even allowing the wind to spin them around the line in circles. That has to be playing!
It could be both work and play. Not even all humans make the hard-and-fast distinction between the two that we do.
I think it’s easy to confuse the motivation for an activity with its function or “purpose”. For example, ravens might lark about (sorry) in the wind because they like the feel of it, but the activity might help them spot food or become more proficient fliers. Whether you consider the activity to be play depends on whether you focus on the motivation (what the birds might feel) or the potential outcome (and the evolution of the activity).
Right now I see two huntaway pups running around the paddock, chasing each other, rolling over and gnawing each other, springing up and bounding away. This will benefit them — they’ll be stronger, more agile, better socialised — but that’s not why they’re doing it. They’re doing it because it’s fun. They’re playing.
Your food explanation flies (haha), but I still think they’re playing. Much more fun for all!
Kia ora Clare,
Either way, it must be cool to observe 🙂
Cheers,
Robb
There is also the famous footage of a Raven climbing a snowbank and sliding down on its back Lesleigh.
That is true Dave. I suppose it is all about trying to see what other explanation there might be for it, if it isn’t play.
Good points, as always Pete. I think in some ways that is what I was trying to get at, what led to the behaviour’s evolution? And there is never a need to apologize for a pun on this venue.
Wow, two puns in one thread Tara. It sure seems like play.
It is Robb. Coolest birds in the world.