In my many years of bird watching in the backyard, I have learned a lot about the intelligence of birds. Most people do not realize that these amazing animals can communicate with other birds regarding food sources, and even remember the people who feed them. Here are some of the most intelligent birds you can find in your backyard.
Bring Hummingbirds Right To Your Window!
Check Price1. American Crows
First place goes to American Crows, with amazing abilities when it comes to memory and social networking. They can remember human faces for years, and warn family members and teach them to either avoid or seek certain individuals. A study done by the University of Washington found crows can remember and communicate details about human faces for over five years.[1] Crows have even been known to bring small\-gifts to the humans that feed them, although there is still controversy regarding whether or not this is a social behavior, or if it is merely curiosity.[2]
Save this article for later so you don't lose it. Enter your email and I'll send it to you now—plus you'll get my favorite backyard birding tips delivered to your inbox.
2. Northern Cardinals
The red birds, known as cardinals, have an incredible memory and will do the same thing multiple times. Each day cardinals return to feeding and will even come back to the same ones over and over to show their children. They develop patterns and will remember winter feeding stations. They are not as smart as crows\, which can recognize faces, but they do become used to humans at feeding stations.
3. Black-Capped Chickadees
Chickadees are some of the first users of any bird feeder, and they can help attract other species of birds too. They have a remarkable memory which allows them to remember the many thousands of places where they have concealed food. Studies show that they can remember these cache locations for up to 28 days. Chickadees can even become used to the presence of people to the point that they will eat food from your hand if you are patient enough to feed them.
4. Blue Jays
Blue Jays can communicate and signal other jays about food and danger. They can also copy other bird sounds and call out as if they are hawks. These smart birds are able to remember hundreds of places that they hide food. They have a good memory and are able to locate the food they hid. Blue Jays especially like peanuts and will often go back to the bird feeders that have peanuts.
Get our free Hummingbird Attraction Guide! Plus, we'll send you our best tips for attracting more birds to your yard.
5. Mourning Doves
Mourning Doves may appear shy or timid, but they have some pretty solid behavioral traits combined with decent spatial memory. They will revisit specific feeding locations, sometimes with their mates, and are especially good at remembering places where they can feed from the ground. Mourning Doves will return to the same places to feed, demonstrating a learned behavior and establishing a feeding routine. They do show some learning behaviors, but compared to some other species on the list, they are less advanced.
6. Tufted Titmice
These clever and inquisitive birds usually spend time in flocks that consist of different species, especially during the colder months. They possess an impressive memory for the locations of their food and their hiding spots. Titmice are known to be the first birds to visit a particular feeder, which can then encourage other birds to come to the feeder. Studies have shown that when these birds hide food, they practice high level decision-making based on the food's value and a potential risk of having the stash stolen.{{4}}
7. European Starlings
People often see starlings as aggravating; however, they show outstanding intelligence, memory, and problem solving skills. They can even remember where they have found food previously, and are able to teach each other how and where to feed socially. Starlings have elaborate social structures, and their flocking behavior means that when several starlings discover a food source, they will bring the entire flock. Starlings have been shown to learn complicated food gathering methods by watching other birds.
8. White-Breasted Nuthatches
These acrobats are great with remembering and recalling the various locations that food is placed throughout the year and demonstrate incredible spatial memory. They usually operate in pairs, and also form long-term pair bonds. Nuthatches are great at remembering which feeders have good offerings like sunflower seeds and suet and will cache (store) food items for later retrieval, demonstrating excellent spatial memory.
9. Northern Mockingbirds
Mockingbirds have great memories and are very protective. Studies have shown them being able to identify individual humans that threatened to attack their nests, and will attack them more than their other unknown targets. Aside from other mockingbirds, they can remember and imitate songs and calls from dozens of different species. They are able to observe and adapt to normal human activity in garden areas and alter their activity as a result.
10. House Finches
These happy songbirds are social learners and take advantages of cohesive flock behavior in obtaining food. Research indicates house finches are able to learn and pass on though social groups, positive food reward associations with specific color objects. House Finches appreciate reliable food source stations and will return to them repeatedly, often in increasing amounts. House Finches especially prefer food source stations that provide greater amounts of favored foods such as sunflower seeds and nyjer.
11. Carolina Wrens
These little birds are bold and curious. They can adapt, and even remember places where they can find shelter and food. Carolina wrens are great with remembering specific places. They can even get used to the activity and patterns of humans around their territory. They will also explore places with food to see if they can find more. As mated pairs, they will remember their territory and defend it for the entire year.
