[NYT] Deceit of the Raven

[Krug]

Quite fascinating

Deceit of the Raven

By DAVID BERREBY
Published: September 4, 2005

It began with apes. In the 1960's and 70's, scientists taught captive chimps to use words and documented wild ones using tools and planning hunting expeditions. Then other smart mammals -- monkeys, elephants and porpoises among them -- also proved to have surprisingly ''human'' mental powers. And in the last few years, the circle has expanded to still other mammals and beyond.

Last year, in the journal Animal Cognition, the behavioral biologist Thomas Bugnyar described a twist in an experiment he was conducting with laboratory ravens. The birds' job was to find bits of cheese hidden in film canisters, then pry open the lids to get the food out. One raven, Hugin, was best at this, but a dominant bird, Munin, would rush over and steal his reward.

So Hugin changed his strategy: when the other bird came over, he went to empty canisters, pried them open and pretended to eat. While the dominant bird poked around in the wrong place, Hugin zipped back to where the food really was. He was deceiving Munin.

To do that, Hugin had to grasp that ''what I know'' and ''what he knows'' are different. He had to understand, on some level, that other ravens have their own individual perceptions, feelings and plans, just as he does. It was big news when scientists found evidence that apes could grasp this. That some birds can as well is even more remarkable.

Bugnyar and his colleague Bernd Heinrich have uncovered still more evidence for avian ''mind reading.'' In another experiment, described in The Proceedings of the Royal Society, they had ravens watch as a scientist gazed fixedly at a spot on the other side of a barrier. All the birds, apparently understanding that the big featherless biped knew something they did not, hopped off their perches to get a look.

 

[WayneLigon]

My dogs engage in some similar behavior. The chihuahua has a favorite pillow that the larger Jack Russels Terrier will usually steal from her. When this situation becomes intolerable, she goes to the door and barks to be let out. The terrier, who loves the outdoors, immediately jumps up and runs to the door. I open the door and the terrier bursts outside. The chihuahua turns her nose up and trots to the (now pre-warmed) pillow.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

In Bones of the Earth Swanwick predicts that avians will eventually replace humans as the intelligent and dominant species. Evolution certainly is tricky to pinpoint, but look at it this way, there is evidence that birds survived the Mseozoic. It is entirely possible. Who knows?

 

[Dakkareth]

I for once would like to welcome our new avian overlords ...

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

I knew my co-workers were complimenting me when they called me "bird-brain."