A Demonstration of Avian Intelligence

pathfinder

I have finally began to catch up on processing my images from my road trip the last two weeks. I caught several images of birds along the way, some from Death Valley, some from Mono Lake, and some from Yosemite.

One of the most impressive displays of avian inteilligence was demonstrated in Death Valley, at a convenience store, by a raven.
Ravens are often underestimated by humans. I was snowmobiling in Yellowstone several years ago and watched a raven open the velcroe'd closed storage compartment on the back of a snowmobile, and pull out and unzip a backpack, to get to the fruit inside. This was not done in an exploratory or fidgiting manner, but with the precision of a surgeon opening a wound.

Words don't really convey the experience of seeing a raven do this. The Park Rangers all know this - they see it all the time, and warn visitors, but most visitors really don't think the birds are that smart. Bird brains, right!!??

I had pulled into the convenience store in Death Valley, and my wife went inside to purchase some water. In front of where I parked the car, was a covered trash barrel - I'll call it a dumpster for short. As I sat in the car not 10 feet away from the dumpster, I watched a raven fly into the dumpster and pull out a wrapped sandwhich, unwrap it, and carry it away. It then returned and pulled out a white plastic bag filled with goodies after a making several attempts at removal both from within the dumpster and from above it. It worked very hard and determined, but it knew exactly what it wanted. I missed the first sandwich removal as I was caught off guard and busy changing lenses, not expecting to take any pictures at a convenience store. When the raven returned the second time I was more prepared, but did not have time to change to a telephoto lens like I would have preferred. 24-70 was all I had available at the time.......

Here is the bird approaching and entering the dumpster




It goes on inside..


I won't show a shot of the bird completely inside, as it looks like an empty dumpster - no bird could be seen.

Then it got out onto the top of the dumpster for better advantage pulling on the plastic bag


That didn't work, so it went back for another try




Finally, after several attempts, it succeeded in carrying the day --






I was entertained and very impressed. Anyone who does not beleive in animal intelligence should spend some time watching ravens. Bird Brains, Indeed!!




:thumb

GREAPER

Where there is a will, there is a way.

We bought some Racoon proof Garbage cans because we sometimes have the trash tipped over by animals the night before trash day. The trash collector refused to pick it up because they couldn't get it open.

That night a racoon tipped it over, got the lid off and scatter rubbish all over the yard.

Maybe the city should hire them.

USAIR

Pathfinder
Amazing just what you will when you get hungry
Amazing shots too

Thanks
Fred

MuskyDude

Interesting story and photos PF, thanks for taking the time, and sharing!


AJ

coldclimb

I watched a raven run into a powerline once. If ONLY I'd had my camera ready somehow!

But yeah, they are definitely on the smarter end of the scale as far as birds go.

Harryb

Great series of shots to illustrate your thoughts. I've been observing birds for a while now and their constant search for food. Its amazing to watch the patience and tactics they exhibit. Excellent post.

pathfinder

Harryb wrote:

Great series of shots to illustrate your thoughts. I've been observing birds for a while now and their constant search for food. Its amazing to watch the patience and tactics they exhibit. Excellent post.

Thanks Harry.

I think this really had to be seen live, in person, to really be believed. I was amazed, and I had previously seen ravens open back packs for food, so I knew they are smart rascals.
Here is the raven flying out of the opening in the dumpster.