Introducing You To Nature’s Smartest Creatures!
Scientists look for several skills when judging an animal’s intelligence:
- Problem Solving: Can the animal find a solution to a new challenge?
- Self-Awareness: Does it recognise itself in a mirror?
- Communication: Can it share ideas or feelings?
- Memory: How well does it remember people, places, or events?
- Tool Use: Does it use objects to help with tasks?
Not every animal shows all these skills, but excelling in even one is special. Each brain works a bit differently, shaped by what the animal needs to survive.
Dolphins
Dolphins use unique whistles to ‘name each other’, and can work together to herd fish, and even use sea sponges as protective tools on their snouts, when hunting.
Octopuses
Octopuses can open things, mimic other creatures and squeeze through tiny holes, to dodge predators. Some have even been known to steal crabs from fishermen, when they are not looking.
Whales and Orcas
Whales and orcas can both teach pods hunting tricks to their young, and share calls that differ by dialect.
Parrots
Parrots can learn hundreds of words, and use them to answer questions and solve logic puzzles. However, it’s not nice to put them in cages, as in the wild they fly up to 30 miles a day. Better to let them go to large aviaries with other birds, if they are born captive.
Elephants
Elephants can remember water holes for years, and like humans, show grief for lost family members, comforting each other. They also can use branches to swat at flies.
Great Apes
All the great apes can use sticks to get insects, solve team-work tasks and comfort friends. Some rescued apes have even learned sign language, to communicate with human caregivers.
Dogs
Dogs as we know have unique bonds with humans. They can sense feelings, and even join in on laughter.
The Crow Family of Birds
Bright Birds and their Brilliant Brains shows just how clever birds can be. From bowerbirds to blue tits, from parrots to pigeons and from fairy wrens to fork-tailed drongos, a bird brain may be small, but it’s mighty.
Read our posts on how to create safe havens for birds (feeding, nest-boxes) and preventing bird strike.
England’s crow family of birds (corvids) are smarter than many people realise. These birds display remarkable problem-solving skills, strong memories and a knack for adapting to almost any environment.
Their brains are also larger compared to their body size, which helps them to think, plan and even use simple tools.
Common Raven
This bird is one of the brainiest birds on earth! Ravens can plan ahead, remember faces and mimic human sounds. They solve puzzles, play with one another, and even use sticks to get food from hard-to-reach spots.
Stories of ravens tricking other animals for food are common. Some experts say they are as intelligent as a young child.
New Caledonian Crow
These relatives (only found on islands in the Pacific Ocean) are known for their advanced tool use. They can shape twigs into hooks, then use them to pull insects from tree barks.
They can also solve complex problems, by combining several steps and even learn by watching others, just like humans.
American Crow
This yankee bird can also recognise human faces, and even remember those they don’t like! They work together to defend their nests, share food and even warn each other of dangers.
These are the crows you’ve likely heard of, using traffic below to crack nuts, which they then fly down to retrieve. They have a strong memory for places and people, and a social nature, which shows the power of group learning.
Eurasian Magpie
It’s not true they always steal shiny jewellery (they are as likely to steal your lunch!) And it’s a silly superstition about ‘one for sorrow, two for joy etc – in China, it’s the other way around!)
This beautiful black and white bird has incredible self-awareness, which is rare in birds. They build large complex nests sand also use tools in the wild. And even (like elephants), mourn for their dead.
Their loud calls and bold behaviour makes magpies easy to spot. But it’s their intelligent that sets them apart from most other birds.
Jackdaw
These are smaller crows, but just as bright. They can partner closely with others, using eye contact and gestures to communicate.
Jackdaws can remember relationships over many years, showing loyalty to friends and mates. They also live in groups, and solve social problems together, teaching younger birds.
Rook
These quick-thinking birds can use stones to raise water levels, and get ‘floating treats’. They also use tools in the wild, and have complex calls to share news with their flock.
Jay
This beautiful bird with a tropical-looking flash of bright blue is also a member of the crow family of birds. It can remember hiding spots for months, after burying food.
