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Crows remember your face, and tell their friends.

Strange NatureEstablished

At the University of Washington, researchers wearing a mask trapped and released some crows. For years after, crows scolded anyone in that mask, including birds that were never caught. They had learned it from others.

Truth label: Established. Strong evidence and broad agreement among experts.

Go deeper

Grudges and gifts

Crows also seem to remember kindness. Some people who feed them report small gifts left behind.

Tool makers

New Caledonian crows bend twigs into hooks to fish out insects.

Learn

  1. Bird brains. Crows have small brains packed with neurons, giving them problem-solving skills that rival some apes.

Test yourself

How did untrapped crows learn to scold the mask?

From other crows. They learned it socially from other crows.

Sources

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