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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Nicola Davis Science correspondent

Eurasian jays shun reward for tastier delayed treat, study finds

Birds taken near Pomaz, Hungaryepa09625375 An Eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius) is seen near Pomaz, Hungary, 05 December 2021. EPA/Attila Kovacs HUNGARY OUT
Researchers found Eurasian jays shunned an immediate reward for a tastier, delayed treat. Photograph: Attila Kovács/EPA

The old saying states a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush but it appears Eurasian jays may beg to differ: researchers have found the corvids shun an immediate reward for a tastier, but delayed, treat.

What’s more, the team found the birds that showed the most self-control scored higher on a variety of cognitive tests, suggesting they were more intelligent.

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