Birds are far more intelligent and
impressive creatures than some may realize. Even with small brains birds are capable of making complex cognitive decisions and actions. How is this possible? These avian creatures have a high
neuron density. Though the brain is small the amount of neurons is near that of a mid sized primate. The study comes from universities out of Austria, Czech Republic, and Brazil. It was one of the first studies of its kind in the methods used to calculate the amount of neurons. Over twenty different species were sampled and brains dissected. The findings of the study were overall expected in the science community. As such, behaviors like tool building found in crows, and majestical vocal abilities found within songbirds, require higher cognitive function.
I find this blog post very interesting because I have recently read an article that ducks are smarter than people think. They are able to establish abstract relationships between sensory inputs unlike other animals. Reading your post, it would make sense that these ducks that I have read about have high neuron density in order to connect these thought processes. I also like your example that birds have to be intelligent enough to build tools and sing specific songs. These activities must require intelligence and many neurons. I have to agree that birds are smarter than people make them out to be!
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