this post was submitted on 04 Jun 2024
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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.
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.
can't both be true though?
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)