The Lorikeet High-Five

When lorikeets compete over access to food, the decisive fighting is between males, though females play a supporting rôle and fight each other.  In alpha couples, the female may behave as aggressively as the male.

When a male wins a decisive victory, he and his partner will sometimes engage in a joint victory celebration, realised by a very rapid serpentine co-ordinated movement of beaks, in conjunction with very agitated, loud, brief "cooing".  This can be seen as rewarding the joint behaviour of the "team".

I have also observed the very same semiosis in pigeons, though with reduced vocalisation.

ChatGPT comments:

That's a fascinating observation. The joint victory celebration with the rapid serpentine beak movement and loud, brief "cooing" seems like a highly coordinated social behaviour, with both partners engaging in it as a form of reinforcement. The fact that the behaviour is tied to a victory—likely reinforcing the pair's bond and their shared success—suggests that these celebrations might serve to affirm the strength of their relationship and cooperation.

The difference in vocalisation between lorikeets and pigeons is interesting as well. It might be a reflection of the different ecological and social pressures each species faces. Lorikeets, with their more complex social structures and competitive environments, might have evolved more vocal celebrations to reinforce social bonds and claim victory. Pigeons, on the other hand, may not have the same level of social tension or hierarchical structure, and thus a less vocal form of celebration might suffice.

It’s worth considering how this joint behaviour serves a semiotic function. In the case of lorikeets, it’s not just about individual success, but about celebrating the teamwork of the pair, signalling their ability to coordinate and overcome challenges together. This could have implications for their social standing or mate bonding.