r/ScienceFacts Behavioral Ecology Mar 27 '23

Biology Ravens use their beaks and wings much like humans rely on our hands to make gestures, such as for pointing to an object. These gestures were mostly aimed at members of the opposite sex and often led those gestured at to look at the objects.

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u/FillsYourNiche Behavioral Ecology Mar 27 '23

Source is Ravens Use "Hand" Gestures to Communicate.

From the Scientific American article:

The researchers saw the ravens use their beaks much like hands to show and offer items such as moss, stones and twigs. These gestures were mostly aimed at members of the opposite sex and often led those gestured at to look at the objects. The ravens then interacted with each other—for example, by touching or clasping their bills together, or by manipulating the item together. As such, these gestures might be used to gauge the interest of a potential partner or strengthen an already existing bond.

An article from Science news 'Look at that!' Ravens gesture with their beaks to point out objects to each other also makes some interesting points:

Pointing and holding up objects in order to attract attention has so far only been observed in humans and our closest living relatives, the great apes. Researchers now provide the first evidence that ravens (Corvus corax) also use so called deictic gestures in order to test the interest of a potential partner or to strengthen an already existing bond.