Head-Swinging

A slow swinging of the head from one side to the other; the elephant stands Attentive and Vigilant, typically Freezing and Ear-Spreading. Head-Swinging is most often observed when a group of elephants is facing a threat. Adult females often Head-Swing in unison, as if choreographed.

Head-Swinging is also associated with Contact-Calling and other situations where an elephant appears to be Listening and attempting to localize a call or other sound. Head-Swinging likely functions in sound localization as well as acting as a visual signal to other elephants to draw attention to a threatening situation.

All age/sex groups may be observed to Head-Swing, although newborns, infants and young calves appear oblivious to threats that engage older elephants in a family and typically do not participate in communal Head-Swinging.

References: Langbauer 2000; Poole & Granli 2003; Poole & Granli 2011 [Swaying]. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Conflict & Confrontation, Vigilance

Head-Swinging

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (1)

Tuskless female, Valda, stands Head-Swinging and Foot-Lifting. Then she begins a Perpendicular-Walk, which appears to be a signal for one-tusked Vigilante to Charge. Vigilante Charges, pauses and Charges again and the others join her in a Group-Charge. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Head-Swinging

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (2)

We drive in toward a family that turns out to be gf0073 et al. It is hard to see as Petter is in the way and camera out of focus, but when we can we see a wall of elephants Group-Charging. They have been Bunching close to us and as this clip begins gf0075 begins a series of 6 Head-Swings as she takes steps backwards. As the clip comes to an end gf0073 enters the scene from the right doing a Perpendicular-Walk that precedes a Bow-Neck-Charge in which she almost hit the car. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Head-Swinging

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (3)

The Mabenzi family stand confronting us - Bunching and Head-Swinging as they assess their next move. Note how only the adults and juveniles are Head-Swinging and the calves seem oblivious. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Head-Swinging

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (4)

In slo-mo: Corajosa, gf0054 begins to walk in purposeful way looking at us and repeatedly lifting her trunk in a sweeping movement (Trunk-Sweep) and Head-Swinging and beginning a Perpendicular-Walk. Her movements seems to alert others to a problem and gets their attention and they begin to coalesce. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Head-Swinging

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (5)

Members of the I family are Bunching together and Head-Swinging as they confront us. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Head-Swinging

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (6)

Members of the I family are Bunching together as they confront us and Isabella, the tuskless female on the far left, is Head-Swinging. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Head-Swinging

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (7

Members of the I family are Bunching together as they confront us and Isabella, the tuskless female on the far left, is Head-Swinging. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Head-Swinging

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (8)

Iphengenia, gf0046, has just Charged our vehicle. She stops and Stands-Tall and then Backs-Toward the rest of her family, initiating Bunching. She stands between tuskless gf0048 and gf0049. Iphegenia and gf0049 stand Head-Swinging and Standing-Tall as they confront us. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Head-Swinging

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (9)

A sub-section of the C family stands confronting us. Nomada appears to be trying to decide what to do. She stands Head-Swinging and then Reach-Touch to Corajosa before Head-Swinging again and departing. This is just before they cross the road and Corajosa Charges us. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Head-Swinging

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (10)

Part of the I family including Iria, gf0045 and Iphegenia, gf0046, and other family members. Iphegenia adopts an exaggerated Standing-Tall and then Charges several paces toward the vehicle. She stops and then Back-Towards her family. She and a younger female begin Head-Swinging. The younger female dusts - an example of Displacement-Grooming. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Head-Swinging

Context: Vigilance (1)

gf0070 is apprehensive and vigilant. She stands facing away from us Head-Swinging. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Head-Swinging

Context: Vigilance (2)

Berta, gf0009, is Listening and Head-Swinging. She has a newborn and a 4.5 year old calf both of whom were Double-Suckling before this clip starts. The older calf was Suckling on her right side and came around to her left side, where the newborn was standing, and Solicits-Suckling with an elongated Periscope-Trunk. Berta begins to walk and the calf gives up and returns to the other side. Berta Head-Swings throughout as she act vigilant. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Head-Swinging

Context: Vigilance (3)

Qasima and part of her family are by the KH4 waterhole (photographer off road) departs. Because this vehicle is off-road and she is not used to them being there, she is suspicious. She Listens to the vehicle depart and follows where it is going by Head-Swinging (to help localize the sound). She also uses Periscope-Trunk, drawing attention to potential danger, and then departs followed by her calves. Other members of the family pay attention to her, are alert and use J-Trunk - note that even the female who is turned away is alerted - perhaps by Qasima's silence. We did not hear any Rumble. (Amboseli, Kenya)