Clever crows rely on a unique bird’s eye view, researchers discover

Scientists at the University of Birmingham studying New Caledonian crows have discovered why these birds, which are famed for their intelligence, are able to use tools with such accuracy. The answer lies in their vision, according to research published today (9 October 2012) . These crows have a very wide binocular field of vision and a straight bill which together enable them to position their tools with the high accuracy that is necessary for finding food hidden in otherwise inaccessible places, New Caledonian crows, a species native to an island in the South West Pacific Ocean, are well known for their use of tools for extractive foraging. With a remarkable degree of dexterity they build complex tools out of twigs and leaves and insert them into narrow holes in deadwood to extract beetle grubs. It has always been thought that the New Caledonian crow's ability to craft and manipulate tools for foraging could be put down solely to their superior intelligence. However, this study shows that two other attributes are essential for such complex tool making and tool use. The researchers discovered that these birds have an extremely wide field of binocular vision, as well as a straight bill; a combination of features which the researchers did not find in other crow species.