4 Smartest Birds Prove That 'Bird Brain' Shouldn't Be an Insult

African grey parrots are rock stars of avian intelligence. Not only can they mimic human speech, but some can form simple sentences, identify objects by name and even associate words with colors or shapes.

One famous African grey, Alex, showed he could understand abstract concepts like "same" and "different," a trait shared with few non-mammalian species.

These parrots also show cognitive flexibility, which means they can change tactics if one approach doesn't work. That’s a sign of advanced cognitive abilities, much like what we see in great apes.

And they learn through observational learning, picking up behaviors by watching others rather than just trial and error.

Meet the New Caledonian crow, a bird species known for its impressive problem solving skills.

These crows not only use tools; they also make them. They'll shape sticks into hooks to retrieve food from hard-to-reach places. This behavior shows a deep understanding of cause and effect, and the ability to solve logical puzzles.

Some crows have even been observed using a tool to get another tool, which they then use to access food. That's called meta-tool use, and it places these birds alongside nonhuman animals like chimpanzees in terms of mental muscle.

In one study, crows solved a series of complex puzzles that required using several tools in the right order — a clear demonstration of problem solving abilities.

Western scrub jays aren't flashy, but their brains pack a punch. These birds exhibit episodic-like memory, a fancy term for remembering past events and using them to plan for future needs. They can hide food, then later re-hide food if they realize another bird saw the original cache.

This behavior suggests scrub jays understand that other birds might steal their stashes — a sign of social intelligence and the ability to anticipate others' actions.

Their spatial memory is off the charts, helping them locate food caches even months after hiding them. It's a brainy move in the world of caching food.

Among the most intelligent birds, the Eurasian magpie has passed the mirror self-recognition test — something only a few animals like dolphins, elephants and great apes have done. That hints at a rare form of self recognition, which is tied to higher levels of cognitive development.

Magpies also live in complex social groups, where cooperation and competition fuel social learning. They use vocal abilities and complex communication to maintain relationships and defend territory.

Living in diverse environments, these birds adapt quickly, showing strong cognitive flexibility.

Despite their small size, avian brains are densely packed with neurons, especially in the forebrain where thinking happens.

That dense wiring gives birds the ability to solve problems, recognize human faces, and even associate words with meanings. Some birds like pigeons and corvids can identify objects, categorize them and understand visual cues.

Urban areas serve as mental gyms for many bird species, pushing them to adapt and thrive. Whether it's cooperative hunting, tool use or figuring out how to open trash bins, birds possess a level of remarkable intelligence that’s easy to underestimate.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.