Aussie Finch Forum

Just been sent this link
http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/blog/324 ... 20stardom/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

brilliant.

Reminds me of 2 baby magpies I reared once - one of their favourite games with each other was one would roll over onto its back and another would latch onto its tail and pull it around the yard. Then they would swap. You could tell they found it all huge fun.

There are so many interesting videos on crow behaviour. They are amazing.
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/08/aesopscrows/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I think there are many other species of birds that would demonstrate a higher intelligence if they were ever formally studied as closely as crows.

Mortisha wrote:
I think there are many other species of birds that would demonstrate a higher intelligence if they were ever formally studied as closely as crows.

There was very similar behaviour described in a softbill book from WA. Rosemary Hutton (correct me if im wrong) described her Striated grass wrens sliding down palm fronds and seemingly having a great time doing it. I think a few of the little LBJ`s out here are equally intelligent but LBJ`s dont get much attention or funding.

desertbirds wrote:

Mortisha wrote:
I think there are many other species of birds that would demonstrate a higher intelligence if they were ever formally studied as closely as crows.

There was very similar behaviour described in a softbill book from WA. Rosemary Hutton (correct me if im wrong) described her Striated grass wrens sliding down palm fronds and seemingly having a great time doing it. I think a few of the little LBJ`s out here are equally intelligent but LBJ`s dont get much attention or funding.

I think there is also research that suggests the time taken to solve a problem by crows is about the same as apes. The water displacement trick is a beauty .

Ive watched them when they want to get something out of a wheelie bin ..they actually stop and think .
Beautiful bird up close ( the aussie raven of course ).

There have been many accounts of crows eating cane toads by flipping them over and eating from the underside. In this way they dodge the poison glands which are located behind the eyes on the side of the head/shoulder.

MadOzzie

They may dodge the poison glands on the shoulders but the gonads and liver are also very toxic. Amazingly some do learn to avoid these dangerous internal organs and I wouldn't be surprised that if they pass this knowledge on and those that get it wrong don't live long enough to pass anything on!

according to a friend of mine some snakes are evolving smaller mouths so they can't eat cane toads?? can someone verify that?

I can neither confirm or disprove, but to me an evolution like that would take much longer than the time frame given (ie since cane toads were introduced).