Birds are often loved for their beauty and elegance, but some also possess remarkable intelligence. Some birds have shown an ability to solve complex problems whereas others can even mimic human speech.
However, intelligence can vary greatly between species so what are the most intelligent birds out there? Here are the top 10 that can show incredible cognitive abilities.
1. African Grey Parrot
The African grey parrot is perhaps the most intelligent bird species of them all. It has been known to solve difficult puzzles, has advanced vocal mimicry, and has been shown to understand more complex concepts.
These parrots can not only learn hundreds of words but also associate them with meanings, making them capable of forming simple sentences. They have reasoning abilities akin to a young child and even have a numerical understanding.
Added to these abilities are a strong memory and social intelligence. Their ability to form emotional bonds is further proof of their cognitive abilities. It’s part of what makes them such an engaging and entertaining pet.
2. Bald Eagle
The bald eagle has an altogether different form of intelligence. It has many traits that both help with its survival and hunting. One of these is the ability to plan strategic hunting techniques as it uses its immense eyesight to conjure up a deadly plan.
They are also adaptable creatures, able to hunt using different methods. This includes cooperative fishing as well as scavenging. When you add in their ability to make massive nests and plan for the long term, you can see why they thrive in the wild.
3. Kea
The kea is a bird native to New Zealand and has often been called the “clown of the mountains”. That’s because it’s both incredibly playful and curious. It has been able to demonstrate impressive cognitive abilities, which include using tools.
Their mischievous quality is both loved and hated in equal measure. They have been seen to use objects to obtain food and cooperate with other keas to achieve their goals. Dismantling human objects for fun is another one of their behaviors, which shows an intelligence that can rival many primates.
4. Magpie
The magpie is the first bird from the Corvidae family on this list but far from the list. This family of birds contains 139 species and one of their notable features is remarkable intelligence for their relatively small size.
Corvids have quite a large brain for their body size and that can lead to greater self-awareness and complex social behaviors. The magpie was the first non-mammal to pass the mirror test, which is when an animal can recognize that the reflection in the mirror is them. Cats and dogs are known to be intelligent animals, but even they don’t pass this test.
Magpies also have an excellent memory, making them capable of hiding food in multiple locations and later retrieving it. Being able to recognize individual humans, giving group warnings, and mourning their dead are other ways they show incredible intelligence.
5. Goffin’s Cockatoo
Many people confuse the term “parrot”. Rather than just being one animal, a parrot (scientifically called Psittaciformes) is a collective group term for four different bird families containing over 400 species of birds. As with the Corvidae family, these are generally intelligent birds.
The cockatoo, especially Goffin’s cockatoo, is another great example as is part of the reason this bird makes a great pet. As with all of the birds on this list, their intelligence has been proven with advanced problem-solving skills, along with their ability to craft and use tools.
What sets this parrot apart is its ability to utilize sequential tools. This is where you use one tool, knowing that it will lead to needing to use another. This was shown in an experiment where the bird was able to make a rake out of sticks in order to retrieve a nut.
6. Ravens
Our second member of the Corvidae family is the raven. They have been even known to understand cause and effect, as well as plan for the future. Ravens are also a handful of birds that can actively work together.
Ravens have an impressive memory, which includes being able to remember human faces and how other animals behave. They can even deceive other animals and can be playful when they want to be. Overall, ravens have a remarkable ability to work out how to get what they need.
7. Crow
Yes, crows are corvids too, but still not the last on the list. Crows have an intense intelligence that doesn’t need to be tested, just observed. They are able to craft, modify, and use tools to meet their needs and remember past experiences to make informed decisions.
This gives them quite good reasoning skills, such as dropping nuts on a road for car tires to crack open. Crows can also be cunning, using a variety of tactics to device their competitors to find prey or protect their food.
8. Budgerigar
The final parrot in the list, the budgerigar (or budgie) is a beloved pet bird. Its small size makes it a popular addition to many homes, but it’s still able to show excellent cognitive skills despite this size.
Some budgies can learn to mimic human speech, as well as solve puzzles and understand cause and effect. They will recognize their human caregivers as well as learn through observation. Added to their ability to communicate and adapt to other environments, it makes them a gifted little creature.
9. Western Jackdaw
On its appearance alone, you may have been able to work out this is our last corvid. Western jackdaws are able to form strong social bonds and showcase advanced communication. As with other corvids, its use of tools is one of its most impressive qualities.
Its observation skills include recognizing human faces and even understanding gaze direction, anticipating a human or animal’s intentions. They form lifelong pair bonds and have complex vocal abilities.
10. Pigeons
Pigeons are hated by many people, but that’s more to do with their love of urban spaces. However, homing pigeons have long played an important role in war before wireless communication. Their ability to return to specific locations over long distances made them excellent military messengers, especially in the World Wars.
It’s not just this that makes pigeons intelligent. They can learn tasks through reputation, can understand patterns of behavior, and are excellent communicators. Their adaptability may be annoying to some people, but it’s one of many reasons pigeons make excellent pets.
