A new tool-using bird to crow about

Natalie Uomini,Gavin Hunt

doi:10.3758/s13420-017-0262-5

Natalie Uomini, Gavin Hunt

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3758/s13420-017-0262-5

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Abstract

SummaryThe Hawaiian crow has been revealed as a skilled tool user, confirmed by testing the last members of this endangered species that survive in captivity. The finding suggests its behavior is tantalizingly similar to that of the famous tool-using New Caledonian crow and has implications for the evolution of tool use and intelligence in birds.

Highlights

With relatively large brains and impressive cognitive abilities, are prime candidates to evolve technology. One such corvid is the New Caledonian crow (Corvus moneduloides), whose tool-making talents rival those of our close relatives (Hunt & Uomini, 2016)
Rutz et al (2016) tested captive Hawaiian crows with the same tool-use tasks as those given to New Caledonian crows: natural logs with meat in holes that could only be reached with suitably long tools
To find out if Hawaiian crows’ technological skills had a genetic basis, Rutz et al (2016) reared seven juveniles deprived of social contact to other tool users

Summary

Introduction

One such corvid is the New Caledonian crow (Corvus moneduloides), whose tool-making talents rival those of our close relatives (Hunt & Uomini, 2016). Rutz et al (2016) report that the Hawaiian crow (Corvus hawaiiensis) is a tool-using species. From previous work with New Caledonian crows, Rutz and colleagues predicted in 2011 that Hawaiian crows should be tool users (Rutz & St Clair, 2012).

Results

Conclusion