The work we propose can be divided into the following packages:

A) Modelling the neurological basis of cooperation in birds with embodied agents. Contributions from: Nolfi and Miglino (Roma); Vallortigara and Zucca (Trieste) and Barrett (Central Lancashire)

B) Evolutionary economic models of cooperation. Contributions from: Van Damme (Tilburg) and Noë (Strasbourg)

C) Cooperation experiments in captivity. Contributions from: Baglione (Valladolid); Bugnyar & Kotrschal (Vienna/Grünau); Heinrich (Vermont); Noë (Strasbourg); Vallortigara & Zucca (Triest) in close collaboration with Clayton & Emery (Cambridge)

D) Observations of naturally occurring cooperation. Contributions from: Baglione (Vallodidad; Barrett & Henzi (Central Lancashire); Emery & Clayton (Cambridge); Bugnyar (Grünau); Heinrich (Vermont & Maine) in cooperation with Bshary (Neuchâtel, Switzerland)

Observational evidence suggests that corvid flocks represent individualized societies with members selectively exchanging low- and high-risks behaviours such as preening and coalition formation. Moreover, recent studies emphasize a crucial role of affiliate relationships that may form between siblings but also between non-related individuals. What is not yet clear is to what extent individuals make tactical use of their relations in cooperative interactions. The aim of the project is to 1) test if ravens’ affiliate relationships work as alliances in conflicts, leading to a system of dependent ranks both within and between sexes, 2) determine if, and how, individuals maintain affiliate relations when their partners are experimentally prevented from retaliating social support and 3) examine the birds’ willingness to share resources with ‘reliable’ and ‘unreliable’ partners. Studies shall be conducted at the Konrad Lorenz Forschungsstelle, Austria, and will be closely linked to other existing programs on raven social cognition (FWF: START) and cooperation research (FP6: INCORE).