Why Indian crows are among the world’s most intelligent birds

One of the most striking aspects of crow intelligence is their capacity to use and even manufacture tools. Research has shown that crows can modify twigs, wires, or leaves to extract food from hard-to-reach places. “Tool use is a hallmark of advanced cognition,” Dr Gupta explains, “and crows display this ability with remarkable precision.”

Crows are widely recognised for their advanced problem-solving skills (Photo: Freepik)

How do crows solve complex problems?

Crows exhibit problem-solving abilities that go far beyond instinct or simple trial-and-error. Dr Gupta points out that they understand cause-and-effect relationships, allowing them to plan actions. One well-documented behaviour involves crows dropping hard-shelled nuts onto busy roads so that passing vehicles crack them open, he explains.

“These behaviours show planning, sequencing, and memory, which are cognitive traits once thought to be exclusive to primates. Crows can also solve multi-step puzzles, remembering solutions and applying them to new situations—an ability known as cognitive flexibility,” says Dr Gupta.

Why Indian crows stand out

Indian crows, particularly the house crow (Corvus splendens), have become adept at navigating complex urban ecosystems. According to Dr Gupta, their success lies in their intelligence-driven adaptability—learning human routines, identifying food opportunities, and modifying behaviour based on experience.

Far from being ordinary birds, crows play an important ecological role and offer valuable insights into animal cognition. “Understanding crow intelligence challenges our assumptions about birds and highlights how evolution shapes intelligence in diverse forms,” Dr Gupta notes.