Birds
have not been known for their high IQs, which is why a person of
questionable intelligence is sometimes called a “birdbrain.” Yet in the
past two decades, the study of avian intelligence has witnessed dramatic
advances. From a time when birds were seen as simple instinct machines
responding only to stimuli in their external worlds, we now know that
some birds have complex internal worlds as well. This beautifully
illustrated book provides an engaging exploration of the avian mind,
revealing how science is exploding one of the most widespread myths
about our feathered friends—and changing the way we think about
intelligence in other animals as well. Bird Brain
looks at the structures and functions of the avian brain, and describes
the extraordinary behaviors that different types of avian intelligence
give rise to. It offers insights into crows, jays, magpies, and other
corvids—the “masterminds” of the avian world—as well as parrots and some
less-studied species from around the world. This lively and accessible
book shows how birds have sophisticated brains with abilities previously
thought to be uniquely human, such as mental time travel,
self-recognition, empathy, problem solving, imagination, and insight.
Written by a leading expert and featuring a foreword by Frans de Waal, renowned for his work on animal intelligence, Bird Brain shines critical new light on the mental lives of birds.
Källa: Bokförlaget Ivy Press
Boktitel: Bird Brain. An Exploration of Avian Intelligence Författare: Nathan Emery Bokförlag: Ivy Press
Nathan Emery
Nathan Emery
is senior lecturer in cognitive biology at Queen Mary University of
London. His research interests focus on what corvids, apes, and parrots
understand about their social and physical worlds, especially others'
mental states, insight, and imagination, as well as the psychology and
evolution of innovation and creativity. He is currently working with the
ravens at the Tower of London.