|
Scientists often refer to the use of tools as an indicator of intelligence
within a species. Tools are defined as objects, other than a part of a bird's body, that are
used for a useful purpose. Tool usage is an indicator of
a species ability for inventive problem solving, flexibility of mind and
their ability to learn and adapt.
There have been many reports of tool usage by various species of birds.
Darwin observed a finch in the Galapagos that fashioned a tool out of a twig to
retrieve insects or larvae embedded inside branches. Crows in Japan
commonly either place nuts under the tires of parked cars and return once the
nuts are cracked or they position themselves on wires over a busy intersection and drop
the nuts so
that passing cars will crack them open.
There have been instances of tool usage reported in parrots as well.
For example:
|
