Counting Crows: The Remarkable Counting Skills of These Birds
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Chapter 1: The Mischievous Crow
Years ago, I encountered a crow that took a liking to my brand new truck, scratching its surface as it perched atop. Through my office window, I would spot it and rush out, yelling and tossing small stones in an attempt to drive it away. The crow would merely fly to a nearby tree, cawing mockingly.
Over time, I became fixated on this feathered foe. Even when other colleagues came and went, the crow remained steadfast on my truck. Eventually, it learned to recognize me from afar, often flying off before I could express my frustration. It was as if the crow found amusement in our little game. If laughter existed in crows, this one was relishing every moment. Their intelligence is well-documented; they can utilize tools, tackle complex problems, and, intriguingly, remember human faces.
Recent studies reveal that crows can even count aloud, a surprising new discovery.
Section 1.1: Counting Like Toddlers
Although various animals can count, a recent study published in the journal Science found that carrion crows (Corvus corone) can vocalize their counts up to four after receiving proper training. They would caw in succession—caw, caw, caw, caw—echoing the early counting abilities of toddlers.
This vocalization process requires not only an understanding of quantity but also a grasp of numerical systems and verbal expression—skills that young children develop early on. Researchers stated, “The findings suggest that the birds possess a non-symbolic approximate number system, demonstrating vocal control that reflects the early counting skills of human toddlers.”
Subsection 1.1.1: The Training Process
In the experiments led by Diana Liao, PhD, and her team at the University of Tübingen, three crows were trained to count while observing numbers on a screen or hearing sounds. After making their calls (known as kraaks), they indicated they were finished by pecking a key on the screen. Correct responses were rewarded with mealworms, although extensive training involving thousands of attempts was necessary.
“All three birds succeeded in this task,” noted study leader Andreas Nieder, PhD. “They could count their calls in sequence,” although they occasionally miscounted—much like toddlers do.
Section 1.2: Intelligence Beyond Counting
Crows, including the Caledonian crow (Corvus moneduloides), have exhibited remarkable intelligence, crafting tools from sticks and leaves to extract insects from tree bark. They also solve intricate problems, selecting the appropriate tools needed to complete a series of tasks for a reward. Notably, crows have been seen engaging in peculiar funeral rituals when a flock member dies.
Like my troublesome crow, these birds are known to harbor long-term grudges.
Chapter 2: The Face Recognition Phenomenon
In research conducted by John Marzluff, PhD, a wildlife scientist at the University of Washington, it was confirmed that crows can recognize and remember individual human faces. His team wore a distinctive rubber mask while capturing and banding wild crows, which were then released. When different researchers donned the same mask, the crows would react aggressively, regardless of the crowd around them.
The study concluded that a crow “quickly and accurately learns to recognize the face of a dangerous person and retains that memory for at least 2.7 years.”
The first video, "Counting Crows - Round Here (Official Music Video)," provides an artistic representation of crows and their cleverness in a whimsical format.
The second video, "Counting Crows - A Long December (Official Video)," offers a reflective take on the themes of memory and recognition, paralleling the cognitive abilities of crows.
Section 2.1: The Language of Crows
The new findings build on earlier research, which demonstrated that carrion crows can learn to control their vocalizations based on visual cues. This suggests that their vocalizations are not merely reflexive responses.
Interestingly, the crows took time to process information before counting, with longer delays for larger numbers. “This indicates that, from the information presented to them, the crows form an abstract numerical concept which they use to plan their vocalizations before emitting the calls,” explained Nieder.
Such insights imply that crows might possess a language system that bears similarities to human language, as noted by Marzluff, who was not directly involved in the latest study.
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