Birds outperform chimpanzees: new insights into brain intelligence!

Birds outperform chimpanzees: new insights into brain intelligence!

Birds demonstrate amazing abilities that are unique in the animal world. A recent study from Heidelberg University highlights the complex cognitive skills of birds, which are in many ways similar to those of great apes. The focus of this research is on the pallium, a brain region that is crucial for cognitive functions. Unlike mammals, the pallium in birds consists of a differentiated structure that allows them to develop advanced thought processes. These findings could challenge fundamental assumptions about the evolutionary development of the brain uni-heidelberg.de reported.

Prof. Kaessmann and his team examined the cell structure of the pallium of chickens using state-of-the-art technologies. The results show that different nerve cells that actively influence the brain show remarkable similarities among the species studied. An interesting result is the discovery that certain neurons in the hyperpallium, found only in birds, are partly similar to neurons in the neocortex of mammals, refuting ideas of direct correspondences between these brain regions.

Cognitive abilities of birds

Birds, especially corvids and parrots, impress with their ability to use tools and show empathy. Studies conducted in collaboration with other research institutions have discovered structural similarities in the bird brain that are linked to conscious perceptions in corvids. These discoveries raise questions about the evolutionary development of similar cognitive structures in birds and mammals, such as science.de highlights.

The pallium of birds shows an organization similar to that of the mammalian neocortex. Onur Güntürkün's study has shown that bird brains are impressively powerful and highly connected despite their smaller size. According to this research, crows have a higher neuron density in the pallium than chimpanzees in the prefrontal cortex, which underlines the influence of neuronal density on cognitive abilities.

Evolution and cognition

The evolution of cognition is a complex topic. Traditionally, it has been assumed that a larger brain is also responsible for higher intelligence. But there are exceptions, as the comparison of parrots with chimpanzees proves. Despite smaller brain sizes, birds demonstrate remarkable problem-solving and planning abilities, comparable to the cognitive capacities of primates. This is also reflected in research by scilogs.spektrum.de analyzed, which supports the thesis that neuronal density and not just brain size are crucial for cognitive abilities.

In summary, the advanced cognitive abilities of birds provide a new look at brain evolution. The findings from the current studies present previous theories about the origins of intelligence in a new light and show that complex behaviors can arise from different evolutionary backgrounds. This knowledge could open up new insights into the development of cognition in all animals, including humans.