Birds that remember human faces for years, know its name and its intelligence

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Ever wondered if a bird could recognise you years after seeing you just once? Scientists have discovered that crows can remember human faces associated with threatening experiences, revealing a remarkable ability that challenges our understanding of animal intelligence.

Crows are widely known for their intelligence, but their ability to recognise and remember human faces makes them even more fascinating.

These birds have been shown to identify individual human and remember them as a potential threat even long after the initial meeting.

Backstory In a recent experiment by University of Washington researchers, people adorned in quirky masks captured and released American crows.

In time, the birds went on to attack humans donning the same menacing masks – even if they turned up in a different place. The study found the crows were able to remember the facial features of the faces for many years.

Oddly, the information might also be passed between crows. The scientists found that even crows that had not been captured themselves learned to associate the aggressive face with a threat.

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It would appear that it can also obtain information from its fellow birds, and use this information as a criterion of risk.

It’s thought that this incredible memory gives them an advantage in an environment where they are often exposed to humans.

Being able to identify an individual that was previously dangerous might keep a crow out of harm’s way, while remembering individuals it can trust might allow it to move more efficiently through its environment.

Of course, the birds don’t remember every person they’ve ever met. Instead they respond based on experience, situation and what they’ve learned to associate.

Next time you see a crow on a building or in a tree, just remember: it might be looking right back. There may be a memory behind those squinty eyes that exceeds most people’s expectations.

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