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A Different Kind of Smart

Animals’ cognitive shortcomings are as revealing as their genius

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Zola the crow is about to face a test that has baffled animals from canaries to dogs.

New Caledonian crows, sometimes called the second most sophisticated toolmaking species on the planet, work wonders with twigs and leaf strips. But certain simple tasks (as people see it) baffle them. ~~ Mick Sibley/Univ. of Auckland

PULL-UPS | In a classic puzzle for testing problem solving, a treat dangles from a string too long for a bird or other animal to haul up in one go. Some birds solve it the first time, stepping on the string to anchor it after each pull until the treat hangs within reach (top). But if the birds have to pull the string through a slot in a platform (bottom), they fumble. ~~ S. Egts