Crows exhibit counting skills similar to those of human toddlers, according to a new study led by researchers in the animal physiology lab at the University of Tubingen in Germany. Crows exhibit advanced cognitive skills, including the ability to vocally count up to four, match the number of calls to a shown numeral, and plan the number of vocalizations before starting, according to the study.
Crows can 'count' out loud by producing a specific number of caws in response to cues, showcasing their understanding of counting and precise vocal control, which they may use for various survival and daily activities.
This ability has not been observed in other non-human species. Studying crows' counting abilities contributes to a deeper understanding of the evolution of numerical skills in animals, challenging the perception of animals as mere stimulus-response machines.
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Studies have found crows to be as clever as apes in terms of thinking logistically and using tools
(Photo: shutterstock)
Previous studies have found them to be as clever as apes in terms of thinking logistically and using tools.
The underlying brain mechanisms that enable crows to perform the tasks are not well understood for now, and further research is needed.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq
Sources: CNN, Popular Science, Earth.com, AOL, Live Science, Technology the Works, Science Times, Daily Mail, Science Alert
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