Crows know familiar human voices [View all]

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/18025926



The researchers noted when crows turned their heads towards the sound of a familiar voice


Crows recognise familiar human voices and the calls of familiar birds from other species, say researchers.

The ability could help the intelligent birds to thrive in urban environments; using vocal cues from their human and avian neighbours to find food or be alerted to potential threats.

The team used recordings of human voices and jackdaw calls to test the birds' responses.

Lead researcher Claudia Wascher from the University of Vienna said that, although it was widely known that crows were "very intelligent", most studies had focused on their ability to recognise and communicate with their own species.