We usually have 9 or 10 pairs of tree swallows nesting in boxes in our yard. Several years ago I purchased a down pillow just for them, and toss some feathers in the air for them once they begin to settle on houses (after an initial period of fairly violent arguing over housing rights...we are in East Hampton, after all) They catch the feathers in the air, or swoop to snatch them off the ground, and yes, often do seem to be playing...dropping the feathers from high up and then flying low to grab them again. I'm always amazed when I clean out the nests after fledging to see the impressive size of some of the white feathers they have managed to collect for the nests, some from sea gulls I imagine, as well as some of the ones I have provided.
Jane F. Ross, PhD Cove Hollow Farm, East Hampton, NY mobile: 917-992-6708 ________________________________ From: bounce-125693328-3714...@list.cornell.edu <bounce-125693328-3714...@list.cornell.edu> on behalf of Bruce Horwith <bruce.horw...@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, June 8, 2021 6:17 AM To: Deborah Shapiro <dsni...@gmail.com> Cc: Joseph Wallace <joew...@gmail.com>; nysbirds-l <NYSbirds-L@cornell.edu> Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Barn Swallow question And Carl Safina's Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel explores this dimension for the wider animal kingdom. Bruce Horwith 16 Salt Marsh Path East Hampton, NY 11937 (631) 599-0040 cell phone On Mon, Jun 7, 2021 at 10:01 PM Deborah Shapiro <dsni...@gmail.com<mailto:dsni...@gmail.com>> wrote: We underestimate the mental capacity of birds. While I don’t recall that she discusses playful behavior, Jennifer Ackerman’s book The Genius of Birds gives many examples of bird cognition that are fascinated and unexpected. Great discussion. Deborah On Jun 7, 2021, at 9:46 PM, Joseph Wallace <joew...@gmail.com<mailto:joew...@gmail.com>> wrote: Thanks, everyone for the ongoing conversation. This is all so fascinating. Corvids and parrots have been known as game-players (and tricksters) for a long time, and it doesn't surprise me that gulls, already adept at a creative kind of tool-using (stationery rocks to drop clams on), might also turn objects into toys. But swallows did surprise me...and made me wonder what other species/families might engage in play. Warblers? Gnatcatchers? It's hard for me to visualize, but that doesn't mean it can't happen. 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