Social factors modulating attention patterns in carrion crows

A benefit of group living is the opportunity for individuals to gain valuable information from others, for example about predators, food sources or mate quality. However paying attention to conspecifics also induces costs such as time constraints. In order to optimize information-gaining processes individuals are expected to be selective with regards to whom and what they pay attention to. This selectivity may depend on factors like context, sex, age and social status of both the observing individual and the model. In the present study, we investigated the attention patterns in carrion crows (Corvus corone corone). Since carrion crows live in complex societies where the use of social information is likely to be highly beneficial, we expect attention patterns to be strongly affected by social factors. Nineteen captive crows were presented with either familiar or unfamiliar and kin or non-kin model individuals. We quantified the duration and frequency each observer watched the model in each experimental session. Familiarity with the model did neither affect watching duration nor frequency. However, there was an effect of kinship on individual attention, with male crows observing non-kin at higher frequency than kin, whereas female observers showed no preference. We also found an effect of the percentage of group members watching within a session and attentiveness of each observer. Overall, our study shows that social factors affect attention patterns in crows.