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A groundbreaking study published in *Science Advances* reveals that crows possess the ability to recognize geometric regularity, a cognitive skill previously thought to be unique to humans. This discovery challenges long-held assumptions about animal intelligence and expands the understanding of cognitive capabilities across species.
Conducted by researchers at the University of Tübingen in Germany, the study focused on two carrion crows that were trained to distinguish between sets of shapes displayed on a computer screen. Initially, the crows were shown distinctly different figures, such as five moons and one flower. Once they mastered the basic task, the complexity increased; the crows were presented with sets of quadrilaterals, including five perfect squares and one irregular shape.
Remarkably, the crows demonstrated a consistent ability to identify the odd shape out, even when the differences were minimal. They successfully recognized shapes that lacked regular features such as parallel lines, right angles, or symmetry, indicating an abstract understanding of geometric concepts rather than random guessing.
This research marks the first time a non-human species has exhibited such a specific form of geometric insight. While other animals have been tested for various cognitive skills, the ability to comprehend geometric regularity has been largely overlooked.
The implications of these findings are significant. Prior to this study, even closely related primates like baboons struggled with similar tasks, underscoring the unique cognitive abilities of crows. The results suggest that geometric thinking may not be confined to humans, prompting further exploration into cognitive capabilities among other intelligent species.
Researchers believe this study opens the door to new avenues of investigation in animal cognition. The potential for discovering similar geometric reasoning in other animals could reshape current perspectives on the evolutionary development of mathematical and spatial reasoning skills.
As science continues to explore the intelligence of various species, the findings related to crows serve as a testament to the complexity of animal cognition and the need for a broader understanding of intelligence beyond human confines.
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