Limpid writes:
read a short news article that scientists believe that the intelligence of crows might be close to that of primates. Has anyone else read anything in depth about this - if so, what are the references - or is this just a bit of furphy.
The root article is probably - The Mentality of Crows: Convergent Evolution of Intelligence in Corvids and Apes. By: Emery, Nathan J.; Clayton, Nicola S.. Science, 12/10/2004, Vol. 306 Issue 5703, p1903-1907.
quote:
Our review of corvid cognition suggests that these birds display similar intelligent behavior as the great apes. However, is the content of the cognitive processes based on a similar or different mental foundation? One reason why the processes may be similar is that corvids and apes face many of the same socioecological challenges, such as locating perishable food distributed in time and space or understanding the relationships between different individuals within large social groups. We suggest that these environmental problems are solved by using four cognitive tools that have driven the evolution of complex cognition in corvids and apes: causal reasoning, flexibility, imagination, and prospection.
You may have picked up on this or a restatement of the findings in the popular press.
If it is true, what would this suggest for the future evolution of these birds.
They will no doubt continue to adapt to an increasingly human controlled environment. Beyond that, who knows?
Read not to contradict and confute, not to believe and take for granted, not to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider - Francis Bacon
The more we understand particular things, the more we understand God - Spinoza
™ Version 4.2
