What St Andrews can learn from crows

A recently published research investigation by St Andrews scientists looks at the social relationships between New Caledonian crows by strapping radio rucksacks onto their backs. According to findings, the birds, much […]

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A recently published research investigation by St Andrews scientists looks at the social relationships between New Caledonian crows by strapping radio rucksacks onto their backs. According to findings, the birds, much like Freshers, learn from their surroundings. For example, they seem to learn from other more mechanically-adept crows about how to use basic tools.

Apparently they have also developed a behaviour by which they bend straws around a bottle to funnel drink smoothly and rapidly down their beaks. This action, described by a scientist as the ‘Strawpedo’, helps crows satisfy their needs with less effort. Or was that the Freshers?

The study attempted to analyse the social network of the crow and the diffusion of its mechanically sophisticated habits.

Dr James St Clair explained, “In this study, we have been able to look at association patterns minute-by-minute, building an unusually comprehensive picture of these birds’ social lives”.

The Stand will be doing the same thing for St Andrews students all year.