Night Capture of Roosting Cave Birds by Neanderthals: An Actualistic Approach
Journal: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
Year: 2021

Evidence is accumulating on the regular and systematic Neanderthal exploitation of birds. However, the motivations, mechanisms, and circumstances underlying this behavior remains little explored despite their potential implications on Neanderthal ecology and capabilities. Fossil remains of choughs ( Pyrrhocorax , Corvidae) are among the most abundant in cave sites with Mousterian technology. We reviewed the evidence showing that Neanderthals processed choughs for food, and confirmed that it occu