'Birdbrain' Is a Misnomer. Crows Make Decisions Faster Than We Can

'Birdbrain' Is a Misnomer. Crows Make Decisions Faster Than We Can (nytimes.com)

2026-11-15 Sun | 19 points by gumby | original

[−]bitwize · 2026-11-15 Sun 18:38 UTC · link

I know more than one person who believe that certain birds, especially crows, ravens, and cardinals, are reincarnated loved ones bringing a message.

I don't share this belief, but the more we find out about avian intelligence, the less surprised we should be that people actually think this.

[−]SoftTalker · 2026-11-15 Sun 18:43 UTC · link

Given the tiny size of avian brains compare to mammals, particulary humans, it's hard to ascribe a lot of intelligence to them. But for what they can do, they seem quite well optimized.

[−]misnome · 2026-11-15 Sun 18:55 UTC · link

And that’s why Elephants are generally considered more intelligent than humans!

[−]0xBA5ED · 2026-11-15 Sun 18:41 UTC · link

The title doesn't make sense because "bridbrain" doesn't imply slow decision making.

[−]tapland · 2026-11-15 Sun 18:42 UTC · link

Yeah it implies.. what I see when I look at some of the !@#$ my pigeons and budgies do.

[−]dlcarrier · 2026-11-15 Sun 18:56 UTC · link

Those birds are geniuses, compared to chickens.

[−]whatever1 · 2026-11-15 Sun 18:43 UTC · link

They have to be faster than us. They casually fly at 40mph.

[−]amelius · 2026-11-15 Sun 18:55 UTC · link

It's faster probably because their neural network is less deep :)

[−]dlcarrier · 2026-11-15 Sun 18:57 UTC · link

Humans think fast and slow, but birds only think fast.

[−]functionmouse · 2026-11-15 Sun 18:57 UTC · link

Yeah, well... My SHARP pocket calculator turns on faster than my PC does.