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Article written by: bio_man on Apr 3, 2021



Title: Most intelligent bird species
Written by: bio_man on Apr 3, 2021

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Birds are very clever animals. They exhibit a wide range of smart behaviors, including good memories, extensive communication, planning for the future, and remembering the past. Some birds can solve problems, and others are capable of adapting to new environments and conditions.

Experts often think of intelligence in terms of creative abilities used to solve problems. Some scientists believe that tool-using birds show such abilities. The woodpecker finch (first from left) of the Galapagos Islands, for example, has learned to use a cactus spine or small twig as a probe to remove carpenter bee larvae from their tunnels. The Egyptian vulture (second from left) uses rocks to break open ostrich eggs. Gulls learn to drop clams and turtles onto rocks or concrete to break them open to obtain the food inside. Carrion crows (third from left) in Japan not only place nuts in the road where cars will crush them, but wait until the stop light changes color before entering the road. Other crows and jays are often cited as intelligent.

The ability to carry on complex communication may provide other evidence of bird intelligence. While most studies suggest that song and its use are genetically programmed, studies of the African gray parrot (fourth from left) suggest a great deal of learning. This parrot is sometimes described as being as intelligent as a three- or four-year-old child. Comparative studies of intelligence among birds are in their infancy. Thus naming the most intelligent bird at this point would be highly speculative. However, parrots and crows may be good candidates.