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 position themselves in the right direction. Ornithologists theorize that they can visualize the Earth’s magnetic field.
  • A magpie can recognize itself 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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