Classification of Animal Behavior
Classifying animal behavior by observable actions and functional context across species, from birds to mammals and more.
Last changed on 2025-07-18
Physiology
- Hunting, Foraging, Feeding
- Drinking
- Preening, Mutual preening, Self-grooming
- Resting, Sleeping
- Flying, Landing
- Shedding, Molting
- Thermoregulation
- Hibernation (inactivity during period of cold temperatures)
- Estivation (inactivity during period of hot temperatures)
Territory, Defense
- Vigilance Behavior
- Territorial Behavior, Marking, Scent Marking, Territory Defense
- Aggression, Fighting
- Agonistic displays (e.g. threat displays, submission displays)
- Crypsis Strategy (Camouflage)
Social Behaviour
- Nesting, Burrowing
- Communication (e.g. vocalizations, body language)
- Allogrooming, Mutual Preening, Pair Bonding
- Courtship, Mating
- Caring for Offspring, Parenting
- Playing, Developmental Behavior
List of Activities and Associated Functions
- Mutual Preening - hygiene, social bonding, courtship
- Song Display - territory advertisement, courtship, communication
- Fencing - courtship, social bonding, communication
- Calling (juvenile) - food solicitation, parental care, communication