Foot-use laterality in the Japanese jungle crow (Corvus macrorhynchos)

Laterality of foot-use behaviour was examined in jungle crows (Corvus macrorhynchos). Consistency of laterality was also verified in comparison with two different behaviours. One was beak-scratching, and another was food-holding. Significant bias of foot-use laterality was found in 11 of 13 tested subjects for beak-scratching and in 10 of 12 tested subjects for food-holding. Bias of foot-use laterality was not common among footed subjects, suggesting no population-level bias. However, a significant number of footed subjects (10 of 12) who were tested in both behaviours showed consistent laterality irrespective of behavioural differences. These results suggest that jungle crows have strong individual-level laterality in foot-use behaviour.