Crows Are Actually Smarter Than What We Give Them Credit For
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Crows Are Actually Smarter Than What We Give Them Credit For

Gonna go ahead and write this so one day when they rule us they'll see that I'm kinda sympathetic.

24
Crows Are Actually Smarter Than What We Give Them Credit For
Neil Tackaberry on Flickr

Increasing amounts of research are revealing that crows (and other corvids) are incredibly intelligent.

However, how exactly does one define "intelligence"? Well, it's difficult, but one way that it is measured, especially across different species, is flexibility or adaptability. This can include tool use, because technically speaking, tools themselves are an adaptation.

Much of the intelligence that crows exhibit seems to have to be related to their capacity for memory. For example, they are able to not only remember specific humans, but they can also hold grudges, as evidenced by a study where people wearing masks captured and tagged some crows. The crows, even years later, still react negatively towards the masks.

But they can also communicate knowledge to each other somehow, because all those years later, there were crows who did not have direct experience with the masked tagger/capturers, yet still attacked those who wore the masks. So, this is an obvious bonus as far as intelligence goes–knowledge gained by one bird can be passed to another, and so on.

There have been other cases where crows appear to be putting their skills of memory and communication to work. For example, they will change their migration patterns if crows have perished in certain places before.

They can also use tools, which is a classic indicator of “sophisticated levels of cognition”. There have been many studies involving crows using tools, and in fact, crows are capable of not only utilizing tools, but also of MAKING them–specifically hooks, a behavior which has been observed in both laboratories and the wild. In the wild, the crows have fashioned hooks out of sticks and leaves and then proceeded to fish for insects. A pretty similar occurrence happens in laboratories; generally, the experiments involve food that is only obtainable through the utilization of tools, and the crows do not disappoint.

Another ability born of crow’s memory is the ability to plan. They can not only remember information but process the information and adapt their behavior accordingly. For example, in a recent experiment, it was discerned that ravens (of the same family as crows, called "corvids") can plan for the future as well as human children can.

One final fun fact about crows is that they are able to understand the concept of death, at least on an elementary level. Perhaps their common association with death is a fitting one.

Historically (i.e., in myth in fable), people seem to have been on to something when it comes to crows (and everything else I guess, I mean the reason they hang around is that they continue to have relevant meaning). One of Aesop's fables details a thirsty crow who drops pebbles into a jug of water so that the water levels will rise enough for it to be able to drink it. The fable is purportedly emphasizing the "virtue of ingenuity", which sounds a lot like flexibility or adaptability, aka those criteria of intelligence.

Additionally, given the ability of corvids to remember, Odin (hailing from Norse mythology) was perhaps on to something when he named his messenger ravens "Huginn" and "Muninn", which respectively translate apparently into "thought" and (evidently the second is harder to directly translate) something like "memory", "desire", and/or "emotion". At first glance, memory seems unrelated to desire and emotion but I suppose one would need a certain amount of memory to be able to develop something like emotion or desire. Or perhaps I am just trying to back up my own opinion. In any case, crows, ravens, corvids–they're pretty darn smart.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

47960
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

30428
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

954408
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

173264
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments