Behavioural ecology: tool manufacture by naive juvenile crows.
New Caledonian crows (Corvus moneduloides) are the most prolific avian tool-users. Regional variation in the shape of their tools may be the result of cumulative cultural evolution--a phenomenon considered to be a hallmark of human culture. Here we show that hand-raised juvenile New Caledonian crows spontaneously manufacture and use tools, without any contact with adults of their species or any prior demonstration by humans. Our finding is a crucial step towards producing informed models of cultural transmission in this species, and in animals in general.
Kenward
Ben
B
Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK.
Weir
Alex A S
AA
Rutz
Christian
C
Kacelnik
Alex
A
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D046368:Crows / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008420:Manufactured Materials