Are crows the ultimate problem solvers? - Inside the Animal Mind: Episode 2 - BBC Two

#bbc

[YordieSands]

I not only have observed crows that have problem solving abilities, but who also have a great sense of humor. One crow I got to know was an attraction at a filling station in Tarzana, California. The crow made many friend with the patrons of the gas station because it was a very social creature. HIs sense of humor was obvious because he'd follow patrons as they filled their tires with air; the bird made a practice of stealing any air caps the patron laid down. He didn't hide the caps, they were always nearby, but he was obviously having a grand time with his little trick.

He stayed at the station because he had a broken wing, and sadly, this injury made the bird susceptible to feral cats. When new of the birds death spread in our community, many people came to leave little remembrances. I believe a local newspaper even noted the birds passing, and it was sorely missed. I've never looked at crows in the same way ever since. It was many years ago, but this is a true story to the best of my recollection.

[sirius]

the embarrassing thing is that i would probably not be able to figure this puzzle out

[TipoQueTocaelPiano]

I have been a teacher for several years and I can ratify that kids are rather stupid by crow standards.

[jasonchouinard]

I don't have time to scroll through all 2768 comments at the moment but  
I have lived, treeplanting, in the woods with ravens on Queen Charlotte Islands, Canada and this simple test is nothing compared to the ravens stealing my lunch. Pardon me, my third lunch in three days.  

Opening my click locks, then opening the zipper then pulling out the tupperware and getting the duct tape off of it to open it and then eating my sandwich. THEN flying by me on the side of a mountain to caw at me!!!

Did I mention the cedar sticks and large boulders I put on the knapsack within which this prize was hidden? This was the third lunch they stole from me and after that I LEARNED to just leave them a freebie on the ground and they'd leave me my lunch. 

I still shake my fist every time I see a crow. They are brilliant.

[therealgeeza]

Crows are so clever they actually show each other videos of humans falling off skatboards

[Broekje]

I, for one, welcome our new crow overlords.

[Jef]

To the doubters, if you'd paid attention it was not any of the little tricks with sticks and pebbles that he already had been taught on the same boxes previously. It was putting them together quickly in a new sequence that was impressive. Demonstrates ability to forward plan and understanding of causal events.

[URAGANU]

That's one of the reasons I love crows.

One thing people don't know about crows is their kind/human part and how they absolutely attach to those who make even a small good or save them or make them feel safe.

[vaultboy]

So when folks call me a bird-brain, I'll take it as a compliment.

[TheInsomniaddict]

Oh god, I just realized that he's releasing the crows after giving them the equivalent of bird CIA training... This could be bad...

[pigritia]

I’ve been feeding local crows at my work for a couple years now. (only raw untreated peanuts) Its now at the point where several of them seem to recognise my car and where I park! I’m now greeted by a family of them every morning, sitting on various walls and fences round my parking space. If I don’t hand out their morning ration straight away, they actually follow me round my workplace! (I work on a building site). They are such beautiful, incredibly intelligent creatures. I really wouldn’t be surprised if one day they actually followed my car home! I also wouldn’t mind at all!

[eyeofthecrow]

The fact that the crow realizes at one point, "Oh, it's a counter weight system! Got it!" a huge deal. The fact that it solved the whole thing in under three minutes is astounding. People don't realize that this is the sort of problem solving that we used to think sets humans apart from animals.

[michaelgarcia]

During the walnut harvest where I live, you can spot crows dropping walnuts into the middle of the street waiting for cars to run them over for them. You literally see them fly down from the trees as soon as you run the nuts over. They truly are remarkable creatures. 

[slearwig]

I posted this at a forum several years ago; about an experience that I had.

Crows are amazing creatures. Very family oriented and not at all a rudimentary callous kind of animal.

One day in Glendale, Ca on a main city street also known as Route 66, I was waiting for a bus at the stop and there were two crows there, one a very one one and an adult crow. The young one was half the size of the adult, and it was struggling with learning to fly, suspended in the air and gliding about 12 feet above the traffic lanes of oblivious cars and trucks that could have so easily killed it given any false step of flight.

The adult crow was flying along with the young one, circling it perpetually and watching every move to protect the young one's safety, and against the partially clouded sky and against the shadows of the buildings, their flight became a ballet of preservation.

[MrDaiseymay]

The best thing i ever saw two crows do (on TV) they were filmed, standing on the top of a garbage bin, on opposite sides. Using their beaks, pull the plastic liner up together at the same time, stand on it, lift again, and stand on it --until they could reach the food in the bottom. Talk about co-operation, Absolutely brilliant !!

[josephcrowriley]

That's why the crow is my totem animal -- in Lenape tradition, the Crow is the bringer of wisdom and can travel between the world of the living and the world of the dead.

[hitca]

I live near a place where wild crows are coming to find food. It's simply amazing looking and watching them how well they find ways to open well closed bags and packets and their cooperation to achieve the task. They are brilliant minded birds and I know for sure from earlier years at open country villages that are excellent pets and great human friends. The video shows clearly what is well known at small village communities about their mind skills. Perfect !

[MiaGadegaard]

I've encountered a lot of crows in the wild and their bigger cousin the raven too on occasion, and when you see the weird things they tend to go about doing, it's fairly obvious they must be a bit smarter than your average bird.. they're quite funny to watch honestly :p

[DrRafestein]

at the end while the guy is talking im sure the crow is like "STFU and admire me!"

[JonathanAlmeida]

This is amazing. A crow that that can solve a puzzle (possibly) better than the average human being. Just remarkable!