• Question: I heard that crows can recognise their reflections. Why do you think this is?

    Asked by elenahegarty to Ed, Katie, Sam, Steve, Vera on 22 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Steven Daly

      Steven Daly answered on 21 Jun 2011:

      I do not know. I think intelligence in animals is often linked to how much social interaction they have to do. It is more important to be smart if you have to negotiate your way through interactions with other people (or crows) without slipping up and making a mistake that could get you in trouble (or, as a crow, pecked a lot).

    • Photo: Ed Morrison

      Ed Morrison answered on 21 Jun 2011:

      There are several animals that seem able to recognise themselves in the mirror. These include most apes, some monkeys, elephants, dolphins (possibly), and crows. Most other animals treat their reflection like someone else and are scared or aggressive towards it.

      I don’t know why some can and some can’t though.

    • Photo: Vera Weisbecker

      Vera Weisbecker answered on 21 Jun 2011:

      Yes, good question. I also don’t know 🙁

    • Photo: Sam Tazzyman

      Sam Tazzyman answered on 22 Jun 2011:

      Crows are very intelligent for animals in general – for example, crows can use bait to fish with!

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