I have this thing about birds. Not only are they the last remaining dinosaurs on earth (I know, I know; that’s stretching it a bit) but they also know how to fly. Not all of them, of course, but the majority of our feathered friends can soar through the air more or less gracefully. People think birds are stupid. I guess they’re right for the most part. Take the ostrich f.ex, – a big, big bird with feet like jack hammers that apparently sticks its head in the sand at approaching danger (Now that I don’t believe. IF ostriches met all threats by doing this there wouldn’t have been any left. Picture the hyena trotting along the African bush and suddenly he comes upon a bird that seems to consist mostly of a juice derrière – no head in sight. Said hyena would probably conclude it was his lucky day and begin to eat.)
However, people, I have news for you regarding the intelligence of birds – well, some birds. More specifically the crow birds (anything from a jackdaw to a raven). Studies confirm these birds are as intelligent, if not more, that the apes. They learn from experience, they create tools to solve their problems, they learn from each other & in general have a lot in common with us. Ehhh… qué? Yupp; with us, despite their brains being the size of a pea.
The crow birds are on the rise. They thrive in the present uncertain environment because they adapt easily. In the evenings, huge flocks of crows, rooks whatnot tend to collect and sit close together, cawing loudly. This, scientists say, is them sharing news with each other. You know; where to find the best worms, how to break open a coconut and what to do to keep Mr Smith’s cat on its toes.
Conclusions of the above are twofold:
It’s nice to know that even if the human race should succeed in eradicating itself some sort of intelligent life will remain on this beautiful, blue planet.
Maybe Alfred Hitchcock wasn’t all wrong in his movie “The Birds”. (Credit where credit is due: Daphne du Maurier wrote the short story.) Now that’s a scary thought, making me eye the magpies presently squabbling outside my window with a beady eye. What if …
So next time you meet a crow bird be sure to be polite. After all, you don’t want to end up being slandered at that evening’s get together, do you? No, best keep your nose clean, unless you aspire ending up on their pecking list!
Just to be on the safe side I will thus continue talking to the loving dove couple across the street whenever I am on my balcony, and as I already admire crows, ravens and magpies I do hope some of them will put in a nice word for me ifnthat day comes……
Your post made me recall a piece of news from a while back:
http://www.livescience.com/14242-magpie-recognize-faces-divebomb-researchers.html
Clever feathery fellows indeed. 🙂
By the by, ostriches do indeed duck their heads down low, although not quite *into* the sand. Their excellent eyesight in accordance with this helps them spot predators from miles away. Rather amazing from a bird whose eye is bigger than its brain!
And so I learnt something new today as well: Thanks mellowmau for the clarification re ostriches – no wonder the hyenas still mostly lick their lips at the sight of them!