If the gift-giving habits of jays are anything to go by, we may be surrounded by birds whose minds are in some ways remarkably similar to our own.
Male Eurasian jays, a common member of a bird family that also includes blue jays, crows and ravens, passed a food-giving test of whether they knew what their mates wanted to eat.
That deceptively simple ability hints at what scientists call a “theory of mind,” or a nuanced awareness of other individuals’ thoughts and feelings.
http://www.wired.com...theory-of-mind/
0
Gift-Giving Birds May Think Much Like People
Started by
Still Waters
, Feb 06 2013 08:13 PM
eurasian jays birds crows ravens blue jays
7 replies to this topic
#1
Still Waters
-
-
- 32,002 posts
Deeply Mysterious
- Joined:01 Jun 2008
- Gender:Female
-
Que Sera, Sera - Whatever will be, will be..
Posted 06 February 2013 - 08:13 PM
#2
schizoidwoman
-
- Member
-
- 12,493 posts
The roosting goose...
- Joined:03 Mar 2009
- Gender:Female
- Location:Up a steep hill in Yorkshire
-
Much mischief is done by the misuse of mercury...
Posted 07 February 2013 - 08:13 AM
I never stop learning new things about the world around us!
Curiosity is insubordination in its purest form.
#3
Lilly
-
-
- 13,218 posts
Forum Divinity
- Joined:16 Apr 2004
- Gender:Female
-
"To thine own self be true" William Shakespeare
Posted 07 February 2013 - 11:19 AM
Some birds are extremely smart. I recall reading an article that said crows could actually count.
"Ignorance is ignorance. It is a state of mind, not an opinion." ~MID~
"All that live must die, passing through nature to eternity." ~Shakespeare~
"All that live must die, passing through nature to eternity." ~Shakespeare~
#4
schizoidwoman
-
- Member
-
- 12,493 posts
The roosting goose...
- Joined:03 Mar 2009
- Gender:Female
- Location:Up a steep hill in Yorkshire
-
Much mischief is done by the misuse of mercury...
Posted 07 February 2013 - 11:24 AM
Lilly, on 07 February 2013 - 11:19 AM, said:
Some birds are extremely smart. I recall reading an article that said crows could actually count.
Really? That doesn't surprise me, crows seem pretty adept at problem-solving.
Curiosity is insubordination in its purest form.
#5
Bavarian Raven
-
- Member
-
- 858 posts
Paranormal Investigator
- Joined:14 Sep 2011
- Gender:Male
- Location:British Columbia
Posted 07 February 2013 - 06:01 PM
Quote
Some birds are extremely smart. I recall reading an article that said crows could actually count.
Having studied and befriend crows (
), i'd argue they do more than count. They teach their offspring skills, they show extreme problem solving abilities. They remember and plan ahead. They have family group and 'region wide' gatherings nightly. They are generous to those who are kind to them and vengeful to those who aren't. 
I'd argue they're easily as smart as primates, if not moreso in some regards.
#6
Abramelin
-
- Member
-
- 17,443 posts
Bokononist
- Joined:07 May 2005
- Gender:Male
- Location:Cananefatia
-
Remember what the doormouse said;
"Feed YOUR HEAD".
Posted 08 February 2013 - 05:59 PM
Abramelin, on 29 September 2012 - 01:10 PM, said:
You might be interested in this video, a lecture by John Marzluff (I hope this one won't breach copyright, sigh)
One of the things I liked of that video and had never heard off before, is crows giving 'gifts' to people that feed them...
One of the things I liked of that video and had never heard off before, is crows giving 'gifts' to people that feed them...
http://www.unexplain...2
#7
Abramelin
-
- Member
-
- 17,443 posts
Bokononist
- Joined:07 May 2005
- Gender:Male
- Location:Cananefatia
-
Remember what the doormouse said;
"Feed YOUR HEAD".
Posted 08 February 2013 - 06:01 PM
schizoidwoman, on 07 February 2013 - 11:24 AM, said:
Really? That doesn't surprise me, crows seem pretty adept at problem-solving.
And up to 16 before they lose count.
#8
Liquid Gardens
-
- Member
-
- 625 posts
Astral Projection
- Joined:23 Jun 2012
Posted 08 February 2013 - 06:11 PM
Crows are also one of the few species that have shown the ability to create and use tools. There are some fascinating videos of crows using tools to sequentially solve relatively complex (to animals) problems in order to obtain a food treat, involving tools and what would appear to be creative problem-solving skills. Amazing stuff, and to me just puts another nail in the coffin of the meme that "humans are so 'special'".
"You can't reason someone out of a position they didn't reason themselves into"
"That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence" - C. Hitchens
"The first principle is that you must not fool yourself - and you are the easiest person to fool" - Richard Feynman
"That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence" - C. Hitchens
"The first principle is that you must not fool yourself - and you are the easiest person to fool" - Richard Feynman
0 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users
