this post was submitted on 04 Jun 2024
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aww

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https://imgur.com/gallery/enjoy-simple-things-life-Ahez4jL

Video caption: "This bird just discovered that golf balls bounce on concrete and he's absolutely loving it."

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[–] [email protected] 37 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (5 children)

A surprisingly wide range of animals will engage in play behavior

Bumblebees have been shown to love having small beads around for them to roll around and on

Edit: sheer amount of people replying who can't just let the silly birb have fun. Guess what, dogs and cats derive play behaviors from predation too, doesn't mean that play ain't play.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 5 months ago

Guess what, dogs and cats derive play behaviors from predation too, doesn’t mean that play ain’t play.

Humans also derive play behaviour from foraging and predation. Play is play, and everyone can have fun, no matter the species.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 5 months ago

This isn't play, its probing to see if it can break open the funny egg and eat it. These birds do this to all their prey.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 months ago

I saw a fox doing the same thing with a tennis ball some dog left behind at the park.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 5 months ago (2 children)

If I'm not mistaken (resolution doesn't help), this bird is a Siriema. They use this movement to kill their prey (usually reptiles like snakes and lizards, but also frogs and small rodents). It is not playing, it is confused, thinking the ball is food.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago

It is not playing, it is confused, thinking the ball is food.

I am just picturing some alien biologist studying us

"This human is operating a video game called a FPS. It may seem like he is playing but really his instincts for self defense and attack are just misfiring. It isn't recreational it is just confusion"

[–] [email protected] 16 points 5 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 22 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

Yes

Do it once because it's instinct

Keep doing it because it's fun (had an unexpected amusing result, which is the basis of fun, really)

[–] [email protected] 34 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I think you're right, but i also remember learnning that some birds have learned to break nuts open using concrete, which i think is what this bird is trying to do

[–] [email protected] 11 points 5 months ago (2 children)

And, that's how you get UNinvited to my parties. 🤫

[–] [email protected] 9 points 5 months ago

first time was an accident. second time was for science.

Third times totally a party trick.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 months ago

Do they wear the blue helmets?