New Caledonian Crow

I want one of these as a pet.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Caledonian_Crow

The New Caledonian Crow is the only non-human species with a record of inventing new tools by modifying existing ones, then passing these innovations to other individuals in the cultural group.

That's fucking sweet.

then passing these innovations to other individuals in the cultural group

I wonder if a computer generated video was made of one of these crows, lets say... cawing 3 times and then standing on one leg which then released food to the animated crow, would the real crow learn to do that if it saw the video enough times?

I'm not sure. I've seen some birds and other animals do some pretty crazy things. You use psychology techniques and you can teach close to anything. However, these have the instinctual drive to use tools.

However, these have the instinctual drive to use tools.

And humans don't? Sure they're not on our level of intelligence, but I think that is due to the fact that they don't have hands like us. Take away your voice and your arms and you will look as intelligent as one of those crows when you get hungry. And why does it take a large brain to be considered smart? Look at computers, getting smarter and smaller all at once. You'd think an animal that can fly would need to maintain its lightweight, so in order to develop its intelligence over time, it would become smarter without increasing in size.

I didn't think I was downplaying the signifigance of their achievement? :P If humans were removed, perhaps birds would become the next intelligent race .

I didn't think I was downplaying the signifigance of their achievement? :P If humans were removed, perhaps birds would become the next intelligent race .

Naw, elephants would for sure.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_intelligence

The entire family of a dead matriarch, including her young calf were all gently touching her body with their trunks and tried to lift her. The elephant herd were all rumbling loudly. The calf was observed to be weeping and made sounds that sounded like a scream but then the entire herd fell incredibly silent. They then began to throw leaves and dirt over the body and broke off tree branches to cover her. They spent the next 2 days quietly standing over her body. They sometimes had to leave to get water or food, but they would always return.

Naw, elephants would for sure. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_intelligence

Don't forget about Dolphins

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolphin_intelligence

Yea but dolphin have some unfortunate physical limitation when it comes to tool using.

Namely small penises

Namely small penises

This claims otherwise. 10-14 inches, baby!