Assessing bird intelligence can be challenging due to varying parameters among families and species. While corvids and parrots are widely recognized for their high intelligence, they are not the only smart birds.
In the wild, some birds use tools to obtain food and solve problems, but whether this behavior reflects true intelligence or just repetitive actions remains debated. In captivity, species like macaws and other parrots can be trained to mimic human speech, though whether they comprehend the context of their words is also a topic of discussion.
Characteristics of an Intelligent Bird
Conceptual Abilities — A bird that can grasp abstract concepts, such as numbers or color, is undeniably intelligent. For example, reports suggest that crows can count up to 4, while a trained African Grey Parrot named Alex could identify a specific number of objects of a certain color from a mixed group.
Tool Usage — A bird is considered capable of tool usage if it can use an object other than its own body to interact with its environment. For instance, the woodpecker finch uses sticks to extract worms from trees.
Social Intelligence — Some birds demonstrate awareness by recognizing other members of their species. For example, crows not only recognize each other but can also remember human faces.
Observational Learning — Birds often adopt new behaviors by observing one another. For instance, younger birds learn to avoid toxic insects by watching adults do the same.
Good Memory — Some birds can quickly learn new sounds after hearing them only a few times or remember all the places where they store food. For example, the Western Scrub-Jay not only stores food in multiple caches but also returns to it before it decays.
Self-awareness — Very few birds can recognize themselves in mirrors without training, demonstrating self-awareness. The Eurasian Magpie is the only bird able to recognize itself without prior training.
Complex Communication — Some birds are believed to recognize and replicate patterns in sounds. For example, budgerigars can repeat a wide range of sounds they hear, including human speech.
Object Permanence — Some birds can detect when an object is missing and recognize its absence. For example, macaws are known to identify if a single object is missing from a group of items.
List of the Smartest Birds in the World
Most of the birds in the list below can understand abstract concepts to some degree, learn by observing others of their kind, and exhibit object permanence. The rest of the parameters may vary from one bird to another.
Bird
How Smart They Are
Where They Are Found
Tool Usage
Social Intelligence
Good Memory
Complex Communication
Crows
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Worldwide, in urban areas and forests
African Gray Parrot
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Rainforests of West and Central Africa
Ravens
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Northern Hemisphere, in forests, mountains, and coastal regions
Cockatoos
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Native to Australia, Indonesia, and nearby islands
Blue Jay
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
North America, especially in forests and woodlands
Budgerigars
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Open woodlands and grasslands in Australia
Clark’s Nutcracker
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Mountainous regions of North America
Macaws
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Central and South America, commonly in rainforests
Eurasian Jackdaw
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Europe and western Asia, often in open countryside
Eurasian Magpie
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa
Fork-tailed Drongo
No
Yes
No
Yes
Sub-Saharan Africa, often in open woodlands
Kea
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Mountainous regions of New Zealand
Red-billed Chough
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Europe, North Africa, and Asia, often in mountainous areas
Western Scrub Jay
No
Yes
Yes
No
Western United States, particularly in scrublands and forests
White-bellied Treepie
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
The Galápagos Islands, particularly in dry forests
Studies suggest that the Striated Caracara is one of the smartest birds of prey, demonstrating the ability to solve up to 8 puzzle boxes in captivity. This impressive problem-solving skill indicates an intelligence level comparable to that of crows and ravens.
