Subadult macaws (Ara glaucogularis) copy better than adults but are less likely to imitate in problem-solving tasks

Abstract

Copying via imitation (replicating others bodily actions) or emulation (replicating others action goals) underpins the cultural transmission of social norms and technical skills in humans. In this study, we investigated whether blue-throated macaws (Ara glaucogularis) are capable of copying conspecifics using two problem-solving devices: door and plug. The door device could be solved by sliding a panel either UP or DOWN, while the plug device required removing a stopper via either a PUSH or PULL action. A control group (N=5), which received no demonstrations, consistently preferred a single solution for each device-- DOWN for door and PULL for plug. In the subsequent test, adult (N=5) and subadult (N=5) macaws from the test group observed demonstrators (N=2) performing the non-preferred action for each device. Significantly more test birds copied the demonstrated action (UP) for door, but not PUSH for plug, because the subadults were less likely to imitate the PUSH action than the adults. However, the subadults took significantly less time to approach and manipulate the devices than the adults. Overall, our study shows that macaws can copy conspecifics in problem-solving tasks, which facilitates information transfer and transmission of foraging techniques, a prerequisite for foraging culture to arise.