Are Crows as Smart as a 7-year-old Human?

Have you ever thought about how smart animals can be? Some animals are clever, just like crows! Crows are amazing birds that can solve problems, use tools, and even remember people's faces. Scientists have found that crows might be as smart as a 7-year-old human child! In this article, we will learn why crows are so smart and what makes them special.

How Smart/Intelligent Are Crows?

Crows are brilliant birds. Their family name is Corvids. Other birds, like ravens, magpies, and jays, belong to this family. Crows can solve puzzles, use tools, and even understand basic concepts like numbers. Scientists have discovered that crows have larger brains compared to their body size. This also helps them think and solve problems like humans do.

Are Crows the Most Intelligent Animal?

The answer is no. They are not the most intelligent or smartest animals on earth. Crows are the smartest animals in the world among the animal species. There are so many animals on earth that are most intelligent, like dolphins, elephants, and chimpanzees. The way crows think and solve problems is very advanced. These interesting facts allow us to study more about them.

Why Are Crows as Intelligent as 7-year-old Human?

How does this bird match the intelligence of the most intelligent primates? Why does a bird need to be this smart? Although crows have intelligence comparable to many primates, bird brains and primate brains are fundamentally different. Birds and mammals diverged on the evolutionary tree 320 million years ago.

Since then, their brains have evolved quite distinctively, prompting scientists to question why corvids are so intelligent. In vertebrates, the pallium is the grey and white matter covering the brain. Before their evolutionary split, both birds and mammals evolved a large pallium. However, after their lineages separated, the mammalian pallium evolved into a layered structure known as the cerebral cortex, the most complex part of the mammalian brain. This structure includes nerve fibers running horizontally and vertically, responsible for processing and transmitting information related to learning, memory, sensory perception, and conceptual thinking. Birds do not have a cerebral cortex.

However, a 2020 study found that the fibers and circuitry in the bird pallium are organized similarly to the mammalian neocortex, with both horizontal and vertical fibers. This similarity helps explain bird intelligence. Initially, birds were thought incapable of such intelligence due to their small brain size. Yet, it's not just the absolute size of an animal's brain that matters but the brain-to-body ratio. Crows have relatively large brains compared to their body size. In mammals, species with larger brains include humans and dolphins, while in birds, it's parrots and crows. Scientists have found that brain size alone isn’t the key factor; the density of neurons plays a crucial role. Dense neuron packing enhances communication between neurons.

A 2016 study revealed that some birds, like crows, have twice as many neurons as primates with similarly sized brains, approaching the number found in larger primates. While these findings explain why crows are so intelligent, the reason behind this evolution remains unclear. Many bird species thrive with fewer neurons and less mental capacity, so why did crows evolve this way? One theory suggests it relates to their rearing environment.

Brain Structure and Weight

1. Brain-to-Body Ratio: Crows have a high brain-to-body ratio, meaning their brains are relatively large compared to their body size. This is an indicator of cognitive abilities. Their brain is about the size of a human's thumb but packed with neurons, particularly in areas associated with problem-solving and planning.

2. Neuroanatomy: The brains of crows, especially the corvid family to which they belong, have a complex structure. They have a well-developed forebrain, which is crucial for advanced cognitive functions like reasoning and problem-solving. This is comparable to the human neocortex, which is responsible for higher-order thinking.

Crow Drink Water Intelligence Test / Experiment / Research

One popular experiment that shows how crows are as smart as a 7-year-old human is the "crow and the water pitcher" test. This test is based on an old fable where a thirsty crow drops stones into a pitcher to raise the water level so it can drink. Scientists tested this idea with real crows. They gave the crows a container of water with a piece of food floating on top but out of reach. The crows figured out that if they dropped stones into the water, the food would rise, and they could reach it. This experiment shows that crows can understand how to change their environment to solve a problem.

Crows Pulling Sticks Intelligence Test / Experiment / Research

In another experiment, scientists gave crows a series of sticks that were very small to reach some food. The crows figured out that if they used a short stick to get a longer stick, they could then use the longer stick to get the food. This kind of thinking shows that crows can understand how to solve a problem, just like a young child also does.

Do Crows Recognize Humans?

Yes, crows can recognize human faces! They remember who is kind to them and who is not. If you feed crows regularly, they will remember you and may even follow you around. On the other hand, if someone is mean to a crow, the crow will remember that person too. This ability to recognize and remember human faces is amazing and shows that crows are as smart as a 7-year-old human child.

How Do Crows Show Affection to Humans?

Crows can show affection to humans in several ways. They might bring you small gifts like pieces of food, objects, or flowers. Another sign is that crows can follow you around and make happy-sounding calls when they see you. If a crow feels safe and comfortable around you, it might even let you pet it. If you want to build a friendship with a crow, it takes time and trust.

Are Crows more Intelligent than dogs?

Both crows and dogs are very intelligent. They are intelligent in their field. Dogs are great at understanding human emotions and following commands. They are loyal to humans and can be trained to do different tasks. On the other hand, crows are excellent problem solvers and can use tools to make tasks easier. Crows have impressive memories and can recognize individual human faces. It is very hard to say which is smarter because they have their unique skills.

The question of whether crows are more intelligent than dogs involves comparing the cognitive abilities of two very different species. Experiments and studies in animal cognition typically focus on various aspects such as problem-solving, tool use, communication, and memory. Here's a summary of the kinds of data and experiments you might find relevant:

Can Crows Understand Human Language?

Crows can't understand human language the way we do. But they can learn some sounds or words through actions. For example, if you always say "food" when you feed a crow, it might learn to recognize that word. Crows are also good at mimicking sounds, so they might imitate human speech. This doesn't mean they understand the words.

Crow vs Parrot Intelligence

Crows and parrots are both very intelligent and smart birds. They show their intelligence in different ways. Parrots are great at mimicking human speech and can learn so many words. They are also very social and can be trained to do tricks. Crows are better at solving hard problems by using tools. While both birds are intelligent, crows are often considered better problem solvers. On the other hand, parrots excel in social intelligence and communication.

Crow vs Chimpanzee Intelligence

Chimpanzees are also known as some of the smartest animals on the planet. They can use tools, understand complex social structures, and learn sign language. Crows are not as physically strong as chimpanzees, but they are still amazing problem solvers. They can use their tools to understand cause and effect. While chimpanzees may have an edge in overall intelligence, crows are still remarkable in their own right.

Crow vs Raven Intelligence

Crows and ravens are both very smart and part of the same corvid family. Ravens are generally larger than crows and have even more advanced problem-solving skills compared to crows. For example, ravens have been seen planning for the future by saving food for later. They are also seen tricking other animals to get what they want. Both birds are incredibly intelligent, but ravens might have better problem-solving skills than crows.

Who is Smarter Raven or Crow?

Ravens are often considered a bit smarter than crows. They have larger brains compared to crows and have shown even more advanced problem-solving abilities. However, both birds are intelligent and capable of doing different tasks. The differences in their intelligence are very minor. Both crows and ravens continue to impress scientists with their abilities.

Why Do Crows Visit You?

Crows might visit you for many reasons. If you feed them regularly, they will come back for more food. They might also be curious about you or interested in your activities. Sometimes crows visit you because they have learned that humans can be a source of interesting objects or materials. If you see crows frequently visiting you, they may have come to recognize you and feel safe around you.

Conclusion

Crows are incredibly intelligent birds with problem-solving abilities and memory skills that show crows are as smart as a 7-year-old human child. They can use tools, recognize human faces, and even show affection to people they trust. They are not the smartest animals on the planet. They are certainly among the most clever birds in the animal kingdom. Whether they are solving puzzles or bringing you gifts, crows continue to amaze us with their remarkable intelligence.