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Avian Einsteins

The uncanny intelligence and emotion of smart birds—and how they're like humans

Career
Crows and Ravens Will Work For Cheese

John M. Marzluff Ph.D. on March 22, 2013

Corvids like this Scottish jackdaw often feed in our backyards. Here they visit our bird feeders. And occasionally they leave gifts in apparent exchange for the seeds and crumbs we offer. A new study demonstrates that crows and ravens learn to exchange rocks for food and adjust their work effort to the quality of the rewards their flock mates receive.

Corvids like this Scottish jackdaw often feed in our backyards. Here they visit our bird feeders. And occasionally they leave gifts in apparent exchange for the seeds and crumbs we offer. A new study demonstrates that crows and ravens learn to exchange rocks for food and adjust their work effort to the quality of the rewards their flock mates receive.

Creativity
Small Birds Use Their Brains to Live Among Us

John M. Marzluff Ph.D. on February 25, 2013

While many birds fade into extinction, others adapt to our changing ways. Brewer's blackbirds, a small songbird, live in busy and dangerous places--parking lots--where they feed on and among our cars. They also time their arrivals to coincide with shop hours, wait among the gathering shoppers, and rush through the doors as soon as they open to feed and remain dry inside.

While many birds fade into extinction, others adapt to our changing ways. Brewer's blackbirds, a small songbird, live in busy and dangerous places--parking lots--where they feed on and among our cars. They also time their arrivals to coincide with shop hours, wait among the gathering shoppers, and rush through the doors as soon as they open to feed and remain dry inside.

Sport and Competition
Some Birds Use Their Brains to Survive Winter

John M. Marzluff Ph.D. on January 31, 2013

As you try to stay warm this winter, think about the small birds all around you. How do they battle winter's cold? Some form flocks. Others store food and remember its whereabouts. A few even cooperate to share information.

As you try to stay warm this winter, think about the small birds all around you. How do they battle winter's cold? Some form flocks. Others store food and remember its whereabouts. A few even cooperate to share information.

Attention
Here's Looking at You, Bird

John M. Marzluff Ph.D. on December 31, 2012

Birds that live among us, like crows, pay close attention to people. They recognize our faces, and new research suggests that they also watch our eyes. Crows react to a staring person as a threat, likely because other crows also threaten each other with a fixed stare.

Birds that live among us, like crows, pay close attention to people. They recognize our faces, and new research suggests that they also watch our eyes. Crows react to a staring person as a threat, likely because other crows also threaten each other with a fixed stare.

Spirituality
Crows Have Opinions

John M. Marzluff Ph.D. on November 28, 2012

New research shows that we are not alone in thinking about the unseen and forming beliefs. New Caledonian crows also believe. The adaptive value of crows' opinions suggests to me that our propensity to believe what we cannot see is part of our ancient heritage.

New research shows that we are not alone in thinking about the unseen and forming beliefs. New Caledonian crows also believe. The adaptive value of crows' opinions suggests to me that our propensity to believe what we cannot see is part of our ancient heritage.

Cognition
Geese Use Their Brains To Survive In Cities

John M. Marzluff Ph.D. on October 31, 2012

Think crows are smart? Well, geese also use their brains to survive in our urban environments. The ability of wild geese to become extraordinarily tame is an example of learning that shows how cognitive ability matches an animal's lifestyle.

Think crows are smart? Well, geese also use their brains to survive in our urban environments. The ability of wild geese to become extraordinarily tame is an example of learning that shows how cognitive ability matches an animal's lifestyle.

Fear
Brain Scanning Enables an Objective Look at Animal Emotions

John M. Marzluff Ph.D. on September 15, 2012

Ever wonder what’s going on inside the brain of a bird? A recent study reveals it’s not all that different from what is going on inside your own brain!

Ever wonder what’s going on inside the brain of a bird? A recent study reveals it’s not all that different from what is going on inside your own brain!

Body Language
Body Language in Crows

Tony Angell on August 20, 2012

Much can learned about crows by carefully observing their posture and movements.

Much can learned about crows by carefully observing their posture and movements.

Cognition
The Alluring Language of Crows and Ravens

John M. Marzluff Ph.D. on July 26, 2012

Some crows and ravens can talk. The one pictured here used human words to assemble dogs on the U. of Montana campus. By flying ahead of the dogs calling "Here Boy!" the crow drove the dogs through students, possibly dislodging a sandwich or chips which the crow could eat. Read on to learn more about the language of birds.

Some crows and ravens can talk. The one pictured here used human words to assemble dogs on the U. of Montana campus. By flying ahead of the dogs calling "Here Boy!" the crow drove the dogs through students, possibly dislodging a sandwich or chips which the crow could eat. Read on to learn more about the language of birds.

Beauty
First Flight

Tony Angell on May 1, 2012

Ravens, crows, magpies, and jays share not only the wilderness, suburban, and urban environments with us, but also have in common many human characteristics.

Ravens, crows, magpies, and jays share not only the wilderness, suburban, and urban environments with us, but also have in common many human characteristics.