Bowing and allopreening of captive Jackdaws Corvus monedula

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Allopreening interactions were observed in groups of captive, hand‐reared Jackdaws Corvus monedula. Head fluff and Bowing, both resembling ‘soliciting’ postures described in the literature, are described. Head fluff seems to be associated with allopreening. Bowing was performed more frequently by socially top‐ranking birds, performed and received equally frequently by females and by males, and directed at birds higher than and lower than the performer with equal frequency. Bowing was followed mostly by the recipient's moving away or by no apparent response, and only rarely by the allopreening of the actor. Allopreening was performed mostly by socially low‐ranking towards high‐ranking birds, and both when the actor was dominant to or submissive to the recipient. Bowing and allopreening seemed to be associated with situations of tension. It is suggested that Bowing here was used as intimidation rather than ‘solicitation’ or appeasement, and that allopreening and Bowing function in confirming relationships and in conveying information about relative status to other members of the group.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)516-523
Number of pages8
JournalIbis
Volume125
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1983
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Animal Science and Zoology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Bowing and allopreening of captive Jackdaws Corvus monedula'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this