The Birds

"At the height of the storm, there is always a bird to reassure us. It is the unknown bird, it sings before taking off.” - René Char

Things to know about bird cognitive abilities :

  • Crows can remember a face for years.

  • Migratory birds use astronomical landmarks to find the right direction. Ornithologists theorize that they can see the Earth’s magnetic field.

  • A magpie can recognize himself in a mirror.

  • Some birds are able to use tools and even count.

  • Bird brains are small but more optimized than mammalian brains.

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