Loner Jays Learn Just As Well As Social Jays, Scientists Say

California scrub jays are seen defeating a puzzle containing food, developed by scientists to test whether sociable birds have cognitive abilities superior to those of less sociable birds. (Oregon State University)

Some loners learn just as easily as more sociable creatures, according to the findings of a new study on related species of birds.

An international team of researchers has found that California scrub-jays, which live in mated pairs, learn just as well as Mexican jay birds, which are social and flock when feeding. The discovery, published in the journal Scientific Reports, means that animal behaviorists may have to rethink the accepted theory that animals living in groups tend to be smarter than their mated peers.