Z07059; Online publication date 9 May 2008; Received 10 December 2007; accepted 15 February 2008

New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 2008, Vol. 35 : 115–118
0301–4223/08/3502–115 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2008

PDF file of entire paper: Print-quality (764K) | screen-quality (305K)

New Zealand Journal of Zoology abstracts

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Introduced Lantana camara used as tools by New Caledonian crows ( Corvus moneduloides )

G. R. Hunt

Department of Psychology
University of Auckland
Private Bag 92019
Auckland 1142, New Zealand
grhunt10@hotmail.com

Abstract  New Caledonian crows commonly use sticks and similar plant material as hooked and non-hooked tools to extract prey. They are known to target certain tree species that produce twigs of the right natural shape for easy conversion into tools. All previously identified species supplying tool materials have been native or endemic to New Caledonia. Here I report that crows living in disturbed habitats also use the barbed twigs of an introduced climbing plant, Lantana camara , as tools. Over an 8-year period I collected 12 L. camara tools used by NC crows at three locations: Bourail and Sarraméa, on mainland Grande Terre, and on the island of Maré. I found these tools left in natural probe sites (Bourail and Sarraméa) or at artificial feeding sites (Maré), but I do not know if the crows targeted L. camara or simply used the closest suitable material. Nevertheless, the use of L. camara indicates that the behaviour of certain free-living NC crows is sufficiently flexible to enable them to evaluate and use exotic plants for tool material.

Keywords   Lantana camara ; New Caledonian crow; hook tools

Z07059; Online publication date 9 May 2008; Received 10 December 2007; accepted 15 February 2008

New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 2008, Vol. 35 : 115–118
0301–4223/08/3502–115 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2008

PDF file of entire paper: Print-quality (764K) | screen-quality (305K)

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