Pigeons are intelligent enough to understand concepts like time and space, find scientists
In experiments, pigeons were shown a static horizontal line on a computer screen and had to judge its length or the amount of time it was visible to them
PIGEONS are far more intelligent than we thought and even understand concepts like space and time, say boffins.
Researchers found they process the data in a similar way to humans, although not quite as well as Professor Stephen Hawking.
In experiments the birds were shown 6cm or 24cm horizontal lines for two or eight seconds.
If they correctly reported the length or time by pecking one of four symbols they were fed. Scientists at America’s University of Iowa then varied the lengths and durations — which the pigeons spotted.
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The results were similar to those found in humans and other primates.
They believe it means animals such as other birds, reptiles and fish are capable of high-level, abstract decision-making.
The university’s Professor Edward Wasserman said: “Avian nervous systems are capable of far greater achievements than the term bird brain suggests.”