Tool-Making Crows Are Even Smarter Than We Thought
Jan. 22, 2018 - It's widely known that New Caledonian crows use sticks to extract prey from their hiding spaces. A recent study, however, suggests crows are making those sticks into better tools. These crows have developed a habit of carving a hook at the end of a twig to better reach their prey. Scientists had the birds test the difference between a straight twig and a hooked twig. They found that the hooked twig is up to ten times more effective than the straight tool. Not only are crows tweaking and improving their old designs, they are possibly sharing their knowledge with other crows.
Transcript
How smart are crows?
Very smart.
It's widely known that New Caledonian crows use sticks to extract prey from their hiding spaces.
A recent study, however, suggests crows are making those sticks into better tools.
These crows have developed a habit of carving a hook at the end of a twig to better reach their prey.
Scientists had the birds test the difference between a straight twig and a hooked twig.
They found that the hooked twig is up to ten times more effective than the straight tool.
Not only are crows tweaking and improving their old designs, they are possibly sharing their knowledge with other crows.
