Is a Crow Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?

They can solve complex puzzles, have excellent memories, and have been known to conspire with one another. Should we be scared?

-----------

SOCIAL MEDIA

-----------

CREDITS
Executive Producer: Alex Sopinka
Writer: Dr. Suzanne MacDonald
Host: Danielle Dufault
Producer & Co-Writer: Dylan Dubeau
Camera & Editor: Andrew Strapp

-----------

Examining the nature of the beast.

[knightwingcustoms]

Crows can also recognize human faces and hold grudges against ones they don't like

[leegreene]

Fun fact! A recent experiment on ravens was *broken* by a single raven who figured out a way to get around the way the treat despensers worked, and then taught all the others

[Xifihas]

Crows aren't planning the downfall of humanity. Humans make life so much easier for crows.

[efendia]

crows are smarter then 90% of the internet

[liizs]

One thing I've found with a couple different birds in my area (such as cardinals and crows) is that if you repeat their call to them and there is no other bird of the same species around you can actually have a "conversation" with the birds. And especially with cardinals, they will change their song and see if you can repeat it. Conversations with cardinals will last for quite a while because the bird often does not give up, so unless you stop your half of the conversation, you may just be stuck for like a half an hour talking to a bird.

[yashrajendrashah]

hey I have a crow story.
A crow had a nest right outside my apartment tree. Few branches use to pop inside my window fence. I used a big clothespin to a thin bread (traditional name: khakra) every day on the fence for the crow to feed himself, his nest and his mate. One day after a month I clipped it again and he didn't come. I did it for couple of days but he didn't show up and I stopped. One day I woke up and there was strange smell and I opened my window. I saw a dead rat as a gift from him was under my fence on the neighbor's roof. I looked up and the crow was waiting there looking at me to take it and eat it. It was priceless return. I was very happy but unfortunately I am a vegetarian. hahaha.

anyways. I just subscribed your channel and loved the way you make the knowledge and the logic so interesting! And your sketches!!! wow. sometimes I get confused to look at the sketches or you.. :P

[Sapphirechao]

In some cultures, ravens are seen as a symbol of wisdom, which seems to make sense from their intelligence.
Interesting how Australian ravens sound much more different, maybe they have an accent XD

[RoyBatty]

Love crows. I once rescued an injured crow stuck in the middle of a four lane street (traffic was slow). Immediately the group he belonged to and who was in a tree in a park opposite the street started to crow very aggressively at me. It was a very threatening type of sound. Anyway, I crossed the street with the crow and deposited it under the tree where all the other crows were perched and very intently observing my actions. The crow itself didn't pick at me or anything. So after I dropped it in the grass and backed up a few meters, the crowing died down almost immediately. It was a very interesting experience for me, really kinda human in a certain way.

Anyways, crows are super smart plus they seem to care for other members of their groups. Fun experience.

[Amy-zbph]

There is a common raven or two on the cypress trees in my neighbor's backyard a lot of the time. They like to try to sit on the very top of the trees, especially when it is windy. My brother and I have tried to imitate their deep croaking sound and they will actually talk back to us a lot of the time. We think it might be a territorial thing because if we make a deeper croak than they do, they often fly off. Either that or we are saying something really rude in raven.

[nicklasdantes]

why would they plot against us, we are their biggest source of food, I think they protect us from the aliens because they are badass

[zlare]

I love crows, they are smart, and their feathers are so soft! I petted one from my backyard XD she litterly let me

[WetAdek]

I once helped a dying crow. She had something stuck in its beak and was just been there in the snow having cold. There was no possibility to bring her to the pet doc so I decided to help her myself. Then she wanted to stay with me for a night. I sure allowed her to stay for as long as she wants to but next morning she gave me a sign that I should open the window and then she flew of.

I called her Raven (I know its not rly creative but she seemed to like it) she reacted to her name as soon as she could move. She chilled at my shoulder and watched me playing video games and stuff, gave me soft love bites.
First she wanted human food but then she didnt want the chicken nugget from my plate. Then I gave her a fresh killed mouse, believe me it was a brutal show, she loved it, me too.
I somehow had the feeling this bird understands me very well, as I would have make a new friend.

What an amazing creature, I'm glad for the experience I could make.

I hope she remembers me and that the is ok and healthy outside.

[johnharvey]

I, for one, welcome our new corvid overlords.

[markfourtwenty]

I wish to be as intelligent as a crow so I can finally pass fifth

[Regan]

my father accidentaly made friends with a murder of about 100+ crows they would chill in the trees behind and around our house and would crow so freaking loud at like 4am it took a while for them to get bored and go away untill that happened though our house looked like something from a horror movie

[theravendiaries]

Well done but I'd really like to see less of the death and gloom, and more about the positive aspects of these magnificent birds. The fact is that both ravens and crows can easily be befriended, and are easy to watch and get to know. They will get to know friendly individuals as they very are curious about people who are genuinely curious about them. Especially ravens, who find a partner, homestead a territory, and stay there working the land together for life!

[allancerf]

theravendiaries - not to bore you but after moving to washington i returned home to california to get my "final load" to drive to my new house in WA. not only did the crows i'd feed for 5 years greet me but about 50 others, too. the astonished neighbors, etc., came out to film this. now, you might think, "over time you were feeding many crows, " but in fact I fed about 4 whose distinct markings i came to know. the others must have been 'pals' who came to help greet a returning friend.

and yes, a crow is smarter - in fact than a Berkeley FIFTEEN year old - with better taste in music, i'd guess, as well.

[PeepoFrog]

they better not get too smart or we'll soon see them fly around with guns robbing jewlery stores

[elkor]

In Iceland a group of crows is a "þing" or congress! Yes we say there having a meeting. Because let's face it they probably are

[muhdzulfadzli]

Crows and Ravens are my FAVOURITE bird creatures. Cocketiels are next. They are highly intelligent, and they look badass! I want 1 for pet!