The avicularia, like the vibracula, probably serve for defence, but they also catch and kill small living animals, which, it is believed, are afterwards swept by the currents within reach of the tentacula of the zooids.
Avikularioek, bibrakuluek bezala, defentsarako balio dute seguraski, baina animalia txiki biziak harrapatu eta hil ere egiten dituzte, uste delarik gero horiek korronteak eramaten dituela zooideen erroen irispideraino.