Cooperative and competitive cognition in corvids

For our recent research in corvid cognition we adopted the approach of cognitive ethology (i.e. examining mechanistic processes from an evolutionary perspective). In continuation of this work, we plan to compare two closely related, but ecologically and socially different species, ravens (Corvus corax) and jackdaws (Corvus monedula). We are interested how the ecological and social conditions may shape cognitive performance. In particular, we plan to investigate species-specific characteristics as well as individual dispositions as related to cooperative or competitive social contexts. The experimental animals (11 ravens, 20 jackdaws) were hand-raised in a standardised way and are participating well in ongoing tests. The proposed research will be conducted at the Konrad Lorenz Research Station, where all the necessary infrastructure is available, and where the relevant know- how and methodology was developed and is well established. We expect to find basically similar cognitive abilities in ravens and jackdaws. Still, based on the differences in ecology and social organization, we predict that ravens will be more competitive and less cooperative than jackdaws. If we find the predicted differences between the two species, we plan to integrate more ecologically and socially intermediate corvid species in future studies (e.g. rooks, crows, magpies, jays). At present, we plan to conduct a series of behavioural experiments to investigate three basic factors which will affect/constrain cognitive performance, 1) individual behavioural phenotype ("personality"), 2) attention towards others and 3) social tolerance (social relationships). Further, we intend to investigate 4) the tendencies in the two species to approach problems cooperatively or 5) competitively. In particular, we ask whether and to which degree, individuals will coordinate and collaborate in mutualistic settings and also, whether they will reciprocate or will rather force partners into cooperation. Finally, we plan to test individual birds in experiments with humans as cooperators or competitors. The proposed research is intended to increase the general understanding of corvid cognition. Furthermore it may provide insight into the nature of the relationship between the evolutionary constraints (i.e. brain and physiology) and the ecological and social conditions which produce the variability of cognitive performance over the vertebrates, but probably also account for the striking similarities, in social and cognitive mechanisms found in primates and some birds.

For our recent research in corvid cognition we adopted the approach of cognitive ethology (i.e. examining mechanistic processes from an evolutionary perspective). In continuation of this work, we plan to compare two closely related, but ecologically and socially different species, ravens (Corvus corax) and jackdaws (Corvus monedula). We are interested how the ecological and social conditions may shape cognitive performance. In particular, we plan to investigate species-specific characteristics as well as individual dispositions as related to cooperative or competitive social contexts. The experimental animals (11 ravens, 20 jackdaws) were hand-raised in a standardised way and are participating well in ongoing tests. The proposed research will be conducted at the Konrad Lorenz Research Station, where all the necessary infrastructure is available, and where the relevant know- how and methodology was developed and is well established. We expect to find basically similar cognitive abilities in ravens and jackdaws. Still, based on the differences in ecology and social organization, we predict that ravens will be more competitive and less cooperative than jackdaws. If we find the predicted differences between the two species, we plan to integrate more ecologically and socially intermediate corvid species in future studies (e.g. rooks, crows, magpies, jays). At present, we plan to conduct a series of behavioural experiments to investigate three basic factors which will affect/constrain cognitive performance, 1) individual behavioural phenotype ("personality"), 2) attention towards others and 3) social tolerance (social relationships). Further, we intend to investigate 4) the tendencies in the two species to approach problems cooperatively or 5) competitively. In particular, we ask whether and to which degree, individuals will coordinate and collaborate in mutualistic settings and also, whether they will reciprocate or will rather force partners into cooperation. Finally, we plan to test individual birds in experiments with humans as cooperators or competitors. The proposed research is intended to increase the general understanding of corvid cognition. Furthermore it may provide insight into the nature of the relationship between the evolutionary constraints (i.e. brain and physiology) and the ecological and social conditions which produce the variability of cognitive performance over the vertebrates, but probably also account for the striking similarities, in social and cognitive mechanisms found in primates and some birds.