Birds are often associated with intelligence, from crows using tools to parrots learning complex behaviours. But what actually makes some birds better problem-solvers than others? Scientists have now put several bird species through a series of cognitive tests to find out. The findings reveal that one particular mental ability appears to be closely linked to both larger brains and a greater tendency to invent new ways of finding food in the wild.
A new study involving 203 birds from 15 passerine species offers an intriguing answer. Researchers found that birds that performed better at laboratory problem-solving tasks were also more likely to show technical innovation in the wild and had larger brains. Interestingly, other abilities often linked to intelligence, such as self-control and learning new rules, did not show the same connection. The findings offer a fascinating clue to avian intelligence.
