Study Finds Crows To Be Capable of Recursion — A Cognitive Ability Thought To Be Unique To Humans And Other Primates

How are crows similar to humans? Studies show that crows have a high number of tightly packed neurons that process information, allowing them to work out complex tasks. Crows are extremely intelligent. They can use tools to get what they want, like New Caledonian crows in a single South Pacific island of the same name, which shape twigs into hooks to catch grubs from rotting logs. And according to new research, crows are even smarter than we thought. Crows and other corvids (a family of birds that includes ravens and magpies) know what they know and can ponder the content of their own minds, according to a 2020 study in Science. This is considered a cornerstone of self-awareness and shared by just a handful of animal species beside humans, such as monkeys and great apes. Crows can also use their complex brains to find creative solutions.