First report of house crow Corvus splendens removing burning cotton wicks from oil lamps, extinguishing and eating

IF 0.5 4区农林科学 Q4 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Avian Biology Research Pub Date : 2023-05-01 DOI:10.1177/17581559231176984

P. J. Sarlin, Sancia Morris, S. Morris, SA Morris, Polycarp Joseph, D. Sherly

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Corvids have long impressed scientists with their flexibility in problem-solving and innovative tool use. Opportunistic observations of five wild house crows (Corvus splendens), a couple of them approaching burning oil lamps and delicately lifting the flaming wick and extinguishing it to consume the cotton wick are reported here. Although similar behaviour has been reported earlier in a few species, this is the first report of such an observation in house crows. Wild crows probably with no experience performing this fire manipulation, wary of nearby humans, could put the bird or its surroundings in jeopardy. Anecdotal reports of crows setting haystacks and thatched roofs ablaze are popular. The crow’s manoeuvres on the burning lamp and the skilful manipulation of the burning wick without getting hurt are commendable and warrant further research. Studies on the nonhuman fire-handling capability could illuminate our understanding of the behaviour of our ancestral hominins towards the fire that led to their mastery over fire.

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首次报道家鸦从油灯中取出燃烧的棉芯，熄灭并吃掉

长期以来，鸦类在解决问题和创新工具使用方面的灵活性给科学家留下了深刻的印象。这里报道了对五只野生家鸦(Corvus splendens)的偶然观察，其中两只乌鸦靠近燃烧的油灯，小心翼翼地举起燃烧的灯芯并熄灭它以消耗棉花灯芯。虽然之前在一些物种中也有类似的行为，但这是第一次在家鸦中观察到这种行为。野生乌鸦可能没有进行这种火操作的经验，警惕附近的人类，可能会使鸟或其周围的环境处于危险之中。关于乌鸦点燃干草堆和茅草屋顶的轶事报道很受欢迎。乌鸦在燃烧的灯上的动作和灵巧地操纵燃烧的灯芯而不受伤是值得称赞的，值得进一步研究。对非人类的火处理能力的研究可以阐明我们对祖先人类对火的行为的理解，从而使他们掌握了火。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Avian Biology Research 农林科学-奶制品与动物科学

CiteScore

1.50

自引率

0.00%

发文量

审稿时长

2 months

期刊介绍： Avian Biology Research provides a forum for the publication of research in every field of ornithology. It covers all aspects of pure and applied ornithology for wild or captive species as well as research that does not readily fit within the publication objectives of other ornithological journals. By considering a wide range of research fields for publication, Avian Biology Research provides a forum for people working in every field of ornithology.