Crows have just joined humans in an elite cognitive club, surprising scientists with their ability to recognize geometric regularity. In a new study from the University of Tübingen, carrion crows consistently picked out shapes that were different from a group — an intuitive skill previously believed to be uniquely human. When presented with sets of geometric figures like rectangles and parallelograms, the crows were able to spot the outlier without any training, even when differences were subtle. Their accuracy outperformed primates in similar tests and showed sensitivity to visual cues like symmetry, angles, and parallel lines.
Researchers say the crows responded to these patterns much like human participants, though with slightly lower precision, suggesting an unexpectedly high level of abstract reasoning in birds. While many animals rely on visual cues for navigation, this study highlights that crows may be processing shapes in more complex, rule-based ways. The findings challenge assumptions about intelligence in the animal kingdom and offer a deeper look at the mental capabilities of these already brainy birds. The results were published in Science Advances and could lead to further exploration of geometric reasoning beyond primates.