Blog #92--Birds Are Smarter Than We Assume

Some humans use the phrase “bird brain” to criticize another’s intelligence level. But that may actually be a compliment. At least, studies have found that birds are far more intelligent than most realize. And brain size has little to do with innate intelligence.

It has long been known that pet birds like parakeets, parrots, macaws, cockatoos and others benefit from being exposed to a wide variety of sounds and activities in their vicinity on a daily basis. Those who own such pets are often advised to leave a radio on for them when left alone for extended periods. Whether these birds understand the words or not, they become bored and restless when there are no stimuli in their environment. When bored, they might pull out their feathers or impale themselves with their own beaks and claws.

Pet birds also benefit from having a variety of perch and play options within their cages. I see the same thing with the wild birds my wife and I feed in our back yard. When we focus on a particular bird or group of birds, we notice them engaging in an assortment of activities besides eating. The more things they have to do, the happier and more relaxed they appear.

A local nursing home had a parakeet which provided stimulation for the elderly living there. It sang and was attentive to the residents when they came by for a visit. However, it would literally go crazy if its favorite toy, a small stuffed Garfield the cat doll, was removed from the cage. It was tied securely to the side of the cage, along with a note demanding that it be left there at all costs. The doll was the parakeet’s best friend and source of security. It could not function within its tiny cage without its friend.

A number of studies have been done on crows, with amazing results. Crows are big and loud, so some people resent having them around. But when we take an honest look at them, we discover how intelligent and talented they really are.

During the winter, they gather in large flocks to assist in self-preservation since there is safety in numbers. With no leaves on deciduous trees, they are exposed to owls that hunt at night while they are trying to sleep. The flocks will share responsibility for providing lookouts for the others, giving their fellow crows a heads up when an owl approaches.

In addition, it has been discovered that family groups have created their own vocal dialects and have complex language skills. Subtle changes in vocal intonation and sound length allow crows to identify their associates individually. In other words, each has its own name. Without specialized recording equipment, most humans will not recognize these differences, but they are there.

New Caledonian crows have an ability to create specialized tools to help them obtain food such as grubs. They have even been known to bend wire into a hook shape to grab objects and pull them up to eat them. And they appear to have reasoning skills. For instance, if a food source is floating on top of water within a long tube, they can take objects too heavy to float and drop them into the water. This raises the water level high enough to allow them access to the floating foodstuffs. Thus, they are at least as capable as most 5-7 year old children.

Crows can also use opposite behaviors to aid their survival, depending on their age and skill level. When a young crow finds a food source, it may make loud noises to call others of its kind to help defend the food source from other predators. But adult crows may eat the food quietly so others won’t find out about their tasty discovery.

Birds may have small brains, but that doesn’t mean they are dumb. Certainly, some domesticated turkeys and chickens have limited skills, but intelligence has been bred out of them. After all, those who raise these birds for profit prefer birds that cause them as little difficulty as possible. And since many are now locked inside small cages with other birds to save costs, the less aware they are, the less likely they will attack each other or themselves out of boredom or survival frustration.

Birds in the wild are much more intelligent because it is a survival advantage for them. The more intelligent they are, the more adaptable they can be to changes in their environment, and the more options they have for obtaining food or protecting themselves from enemies. They may not be bright enough to attend college or play the stock market, but they are much more like us than many wish to believe.

I love watching Canadian geese because their lives are filled with variety. They have multiple food sources, and they can travel great distances to fulfill their nutritional needs. They may visit multiple sites daily. Since they can fly at night as well as during the day, they have a freedom many others lack. Some migrate to warmer climates in the winter, but others remain in the same area year around. Even with snow on the ground and below zero temperatures, they can find sufficient food, warmth and shelter to stay alive until the weather improves.

So the next time we wish to brag about how much smarter humans are than birds, we might be wise to reconsider our assumptions. Some humans are indeed smarter than birds, but not all of us are smarter than all birds. Brain size has little to do with intelligence. We are much more like birds and other species than we realize.

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