Wildlife UK Forum - Discuss the UK countryside and wildlife

Birds have very small brains, but when you watch them for any period of time you can't help but think there is an intelligence behind those small eyes the exceeds what we usually give the credit for.

I can't think of any examples off the top of my head, but there have been many times where I've been watching a bird, or feeding a duck etc, and the bird has worked something out that I never would have expected it too.

I remember reading that a type of crow had been seen to use "tools" to help itself, and that doesn't surprise me at all, but it is quite amazing.

Does anyone else have any stories of a bird showing more intelligence than they are given credit for?

The only bird i can think of at the moment, is that Night Heron. It would find pieces of bread and place them on the water to help it catch fish.

And i got to resident pesky Magpies, they are always coming up with new ways to wind me and the Neighbours up.

I also have a magpie in my garden, and he takes big bits of bread I have left out on the garden, and softenes them up even more by dunking it in the bird bath!