by Lorelei Cohen

Created on: November 25, 2008   Last Updated: March 14, 2011

Head cocked, eyes twinkling in excitement, the inquisitive crow is always watching, learning, and adapting to changing circumstances. The sleek black crow rightfully earns it's rank as one of the most intelligent birds in the world. 

It is the crows inquisitive nature, and willingness to learn, which enables this bird to accomplish tasks which other birds would not even consider. The

intelligent crow has developed the ability to make, and use tools, and these abilities have garnered this bird the attention of the scientific world. 

The ability to make and use tools is one of the defining characteristics of being human. There are only two other creatures which share this same ability with humans, and these are the chimpanzee, and the crow. This remarkable learned ability of the crow, places this bird's intelligence level comparable to that of a chimp, or perhaps even higher.

Although the intelligence level of crows is often greatly under rated, this amazing bird is a willing learner, and far from deserving the disrespect that we humans have bestowed upon it. Crows are frequently misrepresented, misunderstood, and unfortunately also treated inhumanely by those who do not understand them. 

Often viewed as a nuisance bird, the crow is still shot, or poisoned without repercussion. Yet it is actually the crows intelligence, and it's ability to adapt, that are largely responsible for many of the prejudices and misjudgments bestowed upon it.

It is the crows ability to outwit man in it's quest to find an easy meal which creates much of the misunderstanding surrounding this bird. In modern society the crow is frequently classed as a pest, yet this intelligent bird is far from deserving the reputation that we humans have given it, the crow is simply adapting to survive in an ever changing world.

Crows will watch the world around them and memorize information which they feel is important to them. The amazing crow will then share this knowledge with their offspring or any other crows which they feel can benefit from this knowledge. The innovative crow will remember garbage routes so he will know which neighborhoods to haunt on garbage day. He'll keep watch over his favorite gardens, and learn which months are best for finding his favorite foods there.

Crows can understand and remember time periods which enable them to acquire the freshest meals and there is even some evidence to this bird's ability to recognize the concept of numbers. It has

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