> The better they get at predicting what the low animals on the surface are doing, the more opportunities that they have to sneak in and sneak out safely to get a meal
The most compelling explanation for bird intelligence I’ve read[1] argues that it all stems from social needs. Birds, you see, form lifelong pairs. But they constantly cheat on each other. Keeping track of this cheating behavior, deceiving each other, hide their actions, predict what other birds know, understanding who will and who won’t rat them out to their partner, that’s why the intelligence developed. Then once you have intelligence, it proves useful for all sorts of things.
Many species of bird also use this advanced ability to keep track of who knows what for food. They’ll hide a stash for winter and find it all later. But it’s easier to remember where your friend hid theirs than to get your own. So a whole arms race of deception developed.
The most compelling explanation for bird intelligence I’ve read[1] argues that it all stems from social needs. Birds, you see, form lifelong pairs. But they constantly cheat on each other. Keeping track of this cheating behavior, deceiving each other, hide their actions, predict what other birds know, understanding who will and who won’t rat them out to their partner, that’s why the intelligence developed. Then once you have intelligence, it proves useful for all sorts of things.
Many species of bird also use this advanced ability to keep track of who knows what for food. They’ll hide a stash for winter and find it all later. But it’s easier to remember where your friend hid theirs than to get your own. So a whole arms race of deception developed.
[1] The Genius of Birds https://www.jenniferackermanauthor.com/genius-ofbirds