Buzz
Previous studies have highlighted crows as resourceful, retaliatory, and highly intelligent birds. A study in the journal Animal Behavior reveals their remarkable ability to exercise self-control.
Scientists evaluated the self-restraint of seven crows and five ravens by initially presenting them with food. They then concealed the food in one hand while showing a different treat in the other. If the birds resisted immediate gratification for periods ranging from seconds to 10 minutes, they were rewarded with a superior treat by retrieving the hidden food.
In another test, the birds were given progressively larger food portions at regular intervals. They could choose to eat the food immediately, but doing so would halt the flow of additional treats.
The research revealed that the birds demonstrated self-control when a more desirable reward was at stake, but not for identical treats. Crows that had already consumed bread waited for higher-value rewards like sausage or fried pork fat, but showed no interest in additional bread.
A comparable experiment took place at Stanford in 1972, with the key difference being human children as subjects instead of crows. Over 600 children aged four to five were given the choice of one marshmallow immediately or two if they could resist eating the first for 15 minutes while left alone in a room.
Only one-third of the children managed to wait the full 15 minutes, with some eating the marshmallow immediately. A follow-up study indicated that those who waited scored higher on SATs later in life. Humans, it appears, could take a lesson from crows, particularly when considering indulging in a second appetizer.
