Gang Foraging in Juvenile Common Ravens
Author Information
Author(s): Sasha R. X. Dall, Jonathan Wright
Primary Institution: Centre for Ecology & Conservation, University of Exeter
Hypothesis
Can gang foraging behavior in juvenile common ravens be evolutionarily stable near winter roosts?
Conclusion
Juvenile common ravens may adopt gang foraging strategies when foraging near large communal roosts, especially in the absence of territorial adults.
Supporting Evidence
- Juvenile ravens forage socially and aggregate in communal winter roosts.
- Roosts may act as information centers for locating food.
- Conditions favoring gang foraging include the absence of territorial adults and the availability of food.
- Group foraging can be more efficient under certain conditions compared to individual searching.
Takeaway
Juvenile ravens sometimes work together in groups to find food instead of searching alone, especially when there are no adult birds to defend the food.
Methodology
The study adapted a model of juvenile common raven foraging behavior to explore conditions favoring gang foraging near winter roosts.
Limitations
The model is simplistic and does not account for repeated interactions between individuals or spatial factors.
Participant Demographics
The study focused on juvenile common ravens at a large roost in Newborough, North Wales.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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