The play behavior of a Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) chasing a flock of White-naped Jay (Cyanocorax cyanopogon)

The play behavior of a Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) chasing a flock of White-naped Jay (Cyanocorax cyanopogon). Play behavior in birds is difficult to recognize and interpret, and poor documented in Brazil. In this note, we describe an opportunistic record of play behavior for a Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) individual chasing a flock of White-naped Jay (Cyanocorax cyanopogon), in cerrado of southeastern Brazil. The Sharp-shinned Hawk individual performed silent and slow chase flights, without evidence of aggression. The jays intensively uttered many vocalization types, including imitative calls of Roadside Hawk (Rupornis magnirostris) and Collared Forest-Falcon (Micrastur semitorquatus), moving between perches. Despite the existence of other potential hypothesis for such observed behavior, like predation or defense, we rely on play behavior due the many features of the event, such as its repetitiveness and long duration, and the lack of investment in attack and speed and no success of the hawk. We hope this report can contribute to the awakening of field ornithologists for avian play behavior, encouraging the publication of new records.