Buzz
Next time someone tries to insult you by calling you a "bird brain," turn the tables by introducing them to these 11 exceptionally intelligent birds.
1. Cormorants: The Ultimate Model Employees
In the 1970s, a researcher observed the behavior of cormorants used by Chinese fishermen to catch fish. These birds were only fed after catching seven fish for their human counterparts. Once they reached the magic number, they would stop and refuse to catch any more, demonstrating that they had learned to count to seven and were negotiating their 'salary' on their own terms.
2. Japanese Crows Love Street Food
In Japan's urban areas, crows have been seen dropping shelled nuts onto crosswalks for cars to crush. Afterward, they patiently wait for the red light to grab the exposed nutmeat.
3. Macaws Follow Directions Like Pros
When trained with positive reinforcement, macaws can distinguish between left and right with accuracy.
4. Crows Never Have to Eat Their Words
Crows may not be the most glamorous of birds, but biologists call them "feathered primates" due to their remarkable intelligence and problem-solving abilities. In one experiment, crows were able to memorize and accurately identify images they had seen before. When the rules changed and they were rewarded for identifying images that didn't match the ones shown, they quickly adapted and performed correctly during the test.
5. Ravens Are Master Meat Cutters
After observing a raven feeding on a piece of frozen raw beef, a researcher discovered that the bird had made cuts along the fat, allowing it to carry the food as a single large piece instead of making multiple trips. This clever move demonstrated the raven's ability to plan ahead.
6. Blue Tits Skim the Best Milk
When milk was delivered door-to-door, blue tits could identify the type of milk based on the color of the bottle caps. They learned which bottles contained richer, whole milk, and would break into those to enjoy the extra-nourishing treat.
7. Hummingbirds Are Masters of Their Domain
Though these speedsters are incredibly small—lighter than a nickel—they compensate with extraordinary memory. A hummingbird keeps track of every flower in its territory (which can include up to 1000 blooms), remembering which ones are in bloom and which ones have nectar.
8. Rooks Can Be the Bigger Bird in a Fight
Rooks live in large social groups and often get into fights. Afterward, they reconcile by preening one another or sharing food. This behavior shocked biologists when it was first observed, as scientists had long believed that only primates could engage in such reconciliatory acts.
9. Pigeons Have a Taste for Fine Art
In a groundbreaking study, three researchers found that pigeons could distinguish between paintings by Picasso and Monet (although they couldn't tell the difference if the Monets were displayed upside down).
10. Cockatoos Can Cut a Rug
A well-known cockatoo has shown the ability to recognize intricate musical rhythms and dance in time, showcasing a cognitive skill known as “beat induction.”
11. Woodpecker Finches Arm Themselves
These finches from the Galapagos Islands have been observed using sticks to impale grubs and other small invertebrates. Once immobilized, the prey is easily consumed by the clever, weapon-wielding finch.
