Do birds play ?

[squeek]

all they seem to do is eat, i spose its b/c they need to eat enough for survival, but i just wondered do they play like squirrels do , they are always chasing eachother. parrots play, but do wild birds play is my question, does anyone have real proof of this ? or have you witnessed birds playing ?

[epops]

Not really playing but non the less YouTube - The Magpie and the Fox

[Jenny W]

Not in the sense of human play - no wild animal would expend energy unnecessarily. Any play-like behaviour would surely have a purpose, eg. practice at fighting/defending territory etc.

[pliers]

I have seen Ravens, swinging upside down on a branch and then righting themselves before doing the same again. Seemed like play to me.

[Tringa]

Bit like Pliers post, I've heard of crows perching on wires, releasing their grip so they fall and end up hanging upside down, then fly off to do it again.

[Kayleigh]

I think they play as that's how they learn especially hunting birds like the young buzzards here talon grappling.

[aeshna5]

Both gulls + corvids seem to exhibit play like behaviours at times.

[snake]

This morning I was watching a few Redshanks chasing each other around a shallow splash, dashing around and splashing about in the water and having a grand old time.
It certainly looked like they were playing to me.

[SheffieldLass]

Originally Posted by Jenny W

Not in the sense of human play - no wild animal would expend energy unnecessarily. Any play-like behaviour would surely have a purpose, eg. practice at fighting/defending territory etc.

Why not in the sense of human play? What is human play anyway? Look at kids ... there is usually some reason/benefit behind it. Same with adults ... flirting, socialising, bonding, fitness, brain exercise etc etc. We seem to enjoy play, well some as some may be forced on us by others. Animals and birds appear to us to enjoy play too. Maybe they get an endorphin rush too. And if there are adequate food resources around they don't need to conserve every last bit of energy.

[Hedera]

Like Tringa I was watching a rook trying to perch on one of the telephone wires outside my house (there are thirteen going to the one pole!) It wobbled and did somersaults for ages until it managed to sit still and balance. It stared around for a while and then took off into the nearest tree a few yards away. Why didn't it go there in the first place?