News Life

Pigeons rival primates in number task

Trained on one-two-three, birds can apply the rule of numerical order to such lofty figures as five and nine

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

Pigeons, who aren’t even distant uncles to a monkey, have matched primates in a test of learning an abstract numerical concept.

WORKING BIRD Pigeons rival rhesus monkeys at putting groups of shapes in numerical order.